Bowler Wood casts doubt on fitness for third Test

Mark Wood, an England bowler, has doubted his ability to play in the third Ashes Test due to a knee injury.

Wood, 35, returned from knee surgery for the first Test in Perth after nine months, but his left knee was ruled out of the second Test in Brisbane due to concerns.

Between the start of the third Test in Adelaide and the scheduled end of the second Test, there is a week.

Wood told Channel 7: “I believe there is a chance there for Adelaide.”

“More realistically, it’s probably more Melbourne and then [Sydney] after that.

Wood has struggled with injuries throughout his career despite being one of the fastest bowlers to score for England.

Prior to his 15-month suspension in Perth, he had an elbow issue, left knee surgery, and then not played a test.

Wood managed eight overs in his first Test match against the England Lions before suffering tightness in his left hamstring when he made his on-field comeback before the first Test.

He was cleared of any hamstring issues and given a pass for fitness to play in Perth, where he had match scores of 0-44.

Wood’s availability enabled England to carry out a long-awaited strategy to start beating Australia at the Ashes.

England’s opening day of Test cricket was their fastest overall bowling day thanks to a five-man pace attack at Perth Stadium.