Mark Wood ruled out of Ashes 2025-26 Brisbane Test vs Australia
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English pacer Mark Wood, the oldest among the visiting members from England's squad for the Ashes, has once again been sidelined due to injury. Most likely in his absence, Josh Tongue is expected to be roped in by the English side.
England and Australia kicked off the Ashes with the first Test in Perth on the 21st of November; the next Test was 11 days after the first, but the match ended in a two-day saga, hence pushing the cooling-off period to almost 2 weeks.
England lost the opening match despite Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood's absence, which was often cited as their best opportunity at winning. After the loss, the English team will now have to sustain further blows due to sudden injury setbacks.
Mark Wood to miss Brisbane Test after soreness in his knee
Mark Wood, the 35-year-old cricketer, is one of England's oldest players in the Ashes squad. He is most certain to miss the next match at the Gabba in Brisbane, as he experienced knee soreness after bowling just 11 overs in the Perth Test.
The Perth Test was Wood's return to competitive cricket since February 2025, as he was recovering from a knee operation. Despite the very light workload in Perth, he will once again be sidelined, and that too just before the pink-ball Test.
Mark Wood bowled an 8-over spell in the first innings and went wicketless when Australia were bowled out for just 132, and then bowled a three-over expensive spell in the second innings when Travis Head chased the target with ease.
Fair bit in here, including that Mark Wood is almost certain to miss the second Test with a knee issue. The only available player who didn’t train today but is not expected to be out for long https://t.co/k181KDtvqp
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) November 29, 2025
Josh Tongue might replace Mark Wood in the England bowling lineup
England have gone for a full-pace attack; hence, they have sidelined the spin bowling options from selection, and likely, Josh Tongue, another seamer, might replace Mark Wood in the England playing XI for the pink-ball Test in Brisbane.
Josh Tongue was among the three players released by England from their Ashes squad to feature in the pink-ball Test between Prime Minister's XI and England Lions in Canberra. Tongue got exposed to the pink ball, though he could not find himself among the wickets.
Matthew Potts and Jacob Bethell were the other two to be released. England might also consider spin options like Shoaib Bashir, who has been their lead spinner in the last season of Test cricket.
Cricket Australia hopeful for Pat Cummins' return in Adelaide
Australian captain Pat Cummins once again missed out on the second Test against England at The Gabba and is now hopeful to return for the Third Test in Adelaide. Cummins will be travelling alongside the Australian contingent to Brisbane to complete his remaining recovery.
Steve Smith will continue to lead Australia for the pink-ball Test, while Brendan Doggett, the debutant from the last game, will continue to pair alongside Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland.
The only possible area of change can be if Usman Khawaja misses out, then he is likely to get replaced by Josh Inglis or Beau Webster. Both these options are now viable, as Travis Head can be moved up the batting order as per requirements.
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England National Cricket Team Australia National Cricket Team England vs Australia Australia vs England The Ashes Mark Wood Josh Tongue
