Mark Wood: England paceman hopes to bowl again this summer

Pace bowler Mark Wood is hoping to bounce back from a knee injury that ruined the Ashes in the late summer.

Wood underwent surgery on his left knee in March 2025 and returned to England for his first Test against Australia in November. He bowled just 11 overs in Perth before being bowled for the rest of the series.

The 36-year-old is one of England’s fastest bowlers, but has been plagued by injuries throughout his 38-Test career. He had not played Test cricket for 15 months before the Ashes, first with an elbow injury, then a knee problem.

“I have to take it slow,” Wood said He told the BBC’s Strategic Time Out programme., External

“Actually I’ve got one more chance to do it right. It’s not good if I take it back too soon, that might happen.”

“I’m still trying to get back into bowling, hopefully later in the summer.”

Last month, Wood admitted he had an inkling of what he might look like after his playing career if this latest rehab doesn’t go well.

The Durham right-back is under contract in England until the autumn. Despite this latest setback, he says he will be “laser” on his goal of increasing sales to 146 copies across all formats.

“You’ve got to keep your eye on the prize, which is where I’m finally trying to play for England,” he said. “That’s my focus.

“It’s mega disappointing. It’s been over a year since my first surgery.

“To play a game, it takes seven months to rebuild and then be out again.

“At my age, I don’t want to miss games. You want to be involved. I was bowling fast and well before this injury and I couldn’t get back to that level.”