England’s pace spearhead Mark Wood raised alarm bells ahead of the Ashes after leaving the field in a warm-up match due to stiffness in his left hamstring. The incident came during a three-day practice game against the England Lions in Perth, where Wood, who is returning from a long injury layoff, bowled two four-over spells — eight overs in total — before exiting the field mid-afternoon.
His departure was followed by a precautionary scan on Friday to assess the severity of the soreness. According to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the scans came back clear, offering a major relief just days before the opener at Perth Stadium on November 21. Wood has since resumed training, though he did not take part in the final day of the warm-up match.
Wood’s fitness has always been a concern for England. Earlier in the year, he underwent surgery on his left knee, which had kept him out of action for about nine months. That history made this hamstring scare even more delicate — one cranky muscle could jeopardize his selection for the first Test.
In his first spell of the tour game, Wood showed signs of his raw pace, but the second spell proved costly. The stiffness forced him off, and England’s medical staff immediately placed him under close observation. The ECB stated that, while he wouldn’t play on the final day of the Lions match, they expected him to be ready to bowl again within about two days, assuming the scan results remained favorable.
Indeed, after the scan cleared him of any serious damage, Wood became available for selection. His inclusion would be a big boost for England’s attack, especially given their reliance on express pace for the opening Test. Wood’s speed, combined with other fast bowlers like Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue, gives England a potent seam threat on the lively Australian surfaces.
Still, despite passing the scans, England may tread carefully. The decision-makers could decide to rest Wood if there’s any residual risk to his hamstring, especially given his lengthy injury history. Pushing him too hard too soon may backfire.
If he manages to make the XI for Perth, Wood will be expected to set the tone with his pace and aggression. But whether England chooses prudence or risk will depend on his responses in training over the next few days.
For now, though, the news from the medical team is positive. Having Wood in full rhythm could be a game-changer — for England, and for the drama of this Ashes series.
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