Former England captain Nasser Hussain has commented on how big of a blow it will be for England and Mark Woodafter the right-arm speedster was ruled out of the ongoing Ashes 2025-26. Wood's latest setback
comes as a massive blow to the English side, as they already see themselves trailing 0-2 after the first two games in the series against their oldest rivals.
Hussain mentioned that had Wood been fit, England could have thought about proceeding with the potent duo alongside Jofra Archer in a bid to make a comeback in the series. He also pointed to the possibility of the English management resting Archer for Wood.
"It is a huge blow to the team and the individual. The team because you want all your bowlers available, especially going into the final three Tests that are one after another. We have had big gaps so far, but after the third Test, they come thick and fast. England may not have been able to go with Wood and Jofra Archer again, but if Archer needed a rest, Wood could have come in and that is not possible now," shared Hussain on Sky Sports.
The 57-year-old voiced full sympathy towards Wood, whom he complimented for leaving everything on the field while representing the nation. The cricketer-turned-commentator said that he hoped that the express pacer will be able to make a comeback in the future and that this was not the end of his red-ball career.
"It is also a blow for Wood, who is such a likeable lad that gives it absolutely everything every time he plays for England. He has come back from yet another injury after eight-nine months in rehab, hamstring goes in the warm-up game, knee goes in the first Test and now back for more rehab. It'd be soul-destroying for him. He has been around for a decade and played 38 Tests. He will be very down at the moment and I hope it's not the last we see of him in Tests," he added.
Wood was unavailable for England in the red-ball format in the previous 15 months due to multiple injuries to his elbow and knee. Having made his international debut in 2015, Wood has only played 38 Tests in addition to over 100 outings in white-ball internationals.
