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"I'll Go Insane": Mark Wood Shares Injury Update With Desperate Call For Cricket Return

Soumyajit Dutta

Mark Wood [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]Mark Wood [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]

England fast bowler Mark Wood is aiming for a return to county cricket next month as he steps up his recovery from a knee injury, hoping to secure his place for the upcoming Ashes tour. The 35-year-old has been sidelined since suffering the setback during the ICC Champions Trophy in February 2025, when he sustained medial ligament damage in his left knee. 

Wood then underwent surgery in March 2025 and was initially ruled out for four months. Wood had hoped to be fit for the fifth Test against India in June, but swelling in his knee delayed his comeback, ruling him out of the series.

Wood Eyes Competitive Cricket To Regain Ashes Fitness

Nevertheless, Mark Wood now views Durham’s fixtures in September as critical opportunities to demonstrate his match readiness ahead of the highly anticipated Ashes series in Australia, as he shared a massive update on his fitness.

"The injury is all right. It was 50-50 whether I was going to make the India Test but I was bowling at Lord's and then, the next day, my knee swelled up again so I had it drained and since then it's just been about taking things easy looking ahead to the winter," Wood said on the Stick to Cricket podcast.

With the first Test in Perth beginning on November 21, Wood’s fitness is considered vital for England’s bid to reclaim the Ashes on Australian soil for the first time since 2011. He is expected to lead a pace attack that may include Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, and Josh Tongue.

Wood Desperate To Make A Comeback

Wood plans to feature in at least one of Durham’s matches against Essex, Worcestershire, or Yorkshire in September. He emphasised the need for competitive bowling before the tour.

"I've been well looked after and very cautious. I value it as they've got this end game where they want me to get to Australia. But I said to (England coach Brendon McCullum) Baz McCullum, I can't just bowl to a net for four months, I'll go insane," Wood added.

England’s preparation will also include a specialised bowling camp in Loughborough designed to simulate Australian conditions, followed by an early arrival in Perth for acclimatisation. Wood’s return to form could prove decisive in one of cricket’s most challenging contests.