In the current Ashes contest versus Australia Down Under, Mark Wood has stated that he will not play in all five games. In August of last year, Wood made his final appearance for the Three Lions in a red-ball game.
His extended absence has been caused in part by an elbow problem he has been battling. In an all-field conversation with former English captain Michael Vaughan prior to the Perth Test, Mark Wood verified the news.
“Definitely not every one of the five tests. Review it after each game; I believe it simply depends. Although I haven’t played much cricket, I have been there in the past. In a video that cricket.com.au published, Wood said, “I hope to be fresh enough to keep the speed gun up and do a little bit of work to compete in a Test match.”
“Definitely not.”
Mark Wood reveals he won’t be playing in every #Ashes Test this summer. pic.twitter.com/NlbWD0j2kA
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 21, 2025
Mark Wood last played international cricket for England during the 2025 Champions Trophy in the United Arab Emirates in February. He missed the following four months of competitive cricket due to knee pain sustained during a match against Afghanistan. Despite hamstring problems that arose during the England Lions warm-up game prior to the series, Wood was ultimately cleared to play in the current Test.
Mark Wood, who departed for a golden duck, was the last wicket to go.
Speaking of the 2025 Ashes opening, Mitchell Starc’s incredible seven-wicket effort saw England, who had chosen to bat, knocked out for 172 in 32.5 overs. Harry Brook, Ollie Pope, Jamie Smith, and Ben Duckett were the only four members of the touring team to score in double figures.
Starc took seven wickets for the first time in a Test innings. In 12.5 overs, his final statistics were 7/58. The other Australian wicket-takers were Cameron Green (1/10 in 1 over) and Brendan Doggett (2/27 in 7 overs).
India
