England hit with bitter injury blow days before second Ashes Test

England have been rocked by news they will be without fast bowler Mark Wood for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane.

The tourists are 1-0 down following a dismal two-day defeat in Perth, making the trip to the Gabba already feel like a must-win in the five-Test series.

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But they will be without one of their main weapons in Durham paceman Wood due to concerns over his knee.

The 35-year-old, one of the fastest bowlers to ever play for England, bowled 11 overs in the opening Test, finishing with figures of 0-44.

Wood was sent for a scan on his hamstring days before the match after feeling tightness in a warm-up game, but was ultimately given the green light to play.

But he missed the tourists’ first training session in Brisbane on Saturday morning and it is now confirmed he will not take part in the all-important second Test, which begins on Thursday.

His absence is the latest setback in a long, persistent battle with injuries.

In March earlier this year, Wood underwent surgery for medial ligament damage in his left knee, ruling him out for nine months and the entire English home summer.

Before that, he missed 15 months of red-ball cricket due to an elbow problem, which also required surgery.

Josh Tongue is widely expected to replace Wood in England’s pace attack.

The 28-year-old is playing for England Lions against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra this weekend, alongside Matthew Potts and Jacob Bethell.

England’s raw pace plan

England were in a strong position at the start of day two in the first Test before a shocking middle order collapse saw the Aussies stroll to victory with eight wickets to spare.

In the first innings, the hosts were skittled over for 132 as a result of England’s fastest bowling performance since records began.

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The pace attack of Wood, Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson and Ben Stokes averaged 87.6 mph.

Despite failing to take a wicket, Wood clocked 93mph with a frightening early spell on day one, making him crucial to England’s high-pace strategy.

While Tongue is capable of touching 90mph, he generally operates in the mid-80s.

Many believe England already find themselves up against it ahead of the second Test, which will be a day-night affair with the pink ball.

The tourists have lost five of their seven previous pink-ball matches, yet still decided against sending any first-choice players to the warm-up match in Canberra.

This has led to widespread criticism from the likes of England legend Michael Vaughan.

However, Australia are not without their own problems, with captain Pat Cummins and bowler Josh Hazlewood both out for the second Test, having missed the first.