England spearhead, Aussie star bowler ruled out for entire Ashes series

England and Australia have both had one of their best players wiped from the Ashes campaign as further bad news was revealed on Tuesday.

Josh Hazlewood and England spearhead Mark Wood have both been ruled out for the rest of the Ashes series.

With captain Pat Cummins already missing from the Aussie line-up during the opening Ashes Tests, a hamstring injury for Hazlewood leading into the first Test was a massive blow to the hosts.

The situation has deteriorated further with Aussie coach Andrew McDonald on Tuesday confirming to Code Sports Hazlewood will miss the rest of the series.

“(He had) a couple of setbacks we didn’t see coming,” McDonald said.

Watch The Ashes 2025/26 LIVE and ad-break free during play with FOX CRICKET on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

“We thought he’d play a huge part in the series, but really feel for him that he won’t get that opportunity.”

He confirmed Hazlewood has been managing a related Achilles issue.

Josh Hazlewood (left) will be watching from the sidelines. Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP.

With Nathan Lyon a shock omission from the Aussie XI for the pink ball Test, it was a very different bowling attack that combined to take 20 wickets in Brisbane.

Mitchell Starc was the only member of Australian cricket’s famed four-pronged bowling cartel that featured in Brisbane alongside Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser.

The quartet of Starc (418 wickets), Lyon (562 wickets), Cummins (309) and Hazlewood (295) is one of the most reliable attacks Australia has ever assembled.

A statement released by Cricket Australia on the eve of the second Test suggested Hazlewood was going to struggle to prove his fitness before the series concludes at the SCG in January.

“Josh Hazlewood reported Achilles soreness this week during his rehabilitation from recent hamstring injury,” a Cricket Australia statement said.

“It is a low-grade issue and he is expected to recommence running and bowling next week.”

England spearhead out of the Ashes

On Tuesday afternoon, England announced Wood had also been ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes.

The 35-year-old quick recovered from a hamstring strain to play the first Test but picked up a left knee injury in Perth and will not recover in time to play any further part in the series.

“Wood will return home later this week and work closely with the ECB medical team on his rehabilitation and recovery,” England said in a statement.

Mark Wood injured his knee in the first Test. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Mark Wood is out for the series. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

It’s a massive blow for England given Wood was their most dangerous bowler on the last Ashes tour of Australia and Jofra Archer has struggled to make a significant impact in the first two Tests.

Matthew Fisher has been called up from the Lions squad and will join England’s Ashes squad for bowling depth.

Nathan Lyon is expected to be recalled for the third Test in Adelaide, but the 140-Test veteran didn’t hide his displeasure when discussing his dumping with Channel 7.

Nathan Lyon (left) doesn’t look thrilled to be 12th man for the second Test. Photo: Fox Sports

“Short,” he said when asked about his conversation with chairman of selectors George Bailey.

“No, yeah, absolutely filthy, but yeah, can’t do anything about it so hope I can play my role in making sure I get the guys ready and do whatever I can to make sure that we get the right result here.

“I’m not the first player to miss a Test match and I won’t be the last.

“But yeah, obviously pretty gutted because I know the role that I can play within Australian cricket and especially a venue like this.

“Extremely disappointed but I’ll do whatever I have to do to make sure these guys are up.”

Originally published as England spearhead, Aussie star bowler ruled out for entire Ashes series