Mark Wood Cleared of Hamstring Worry, Huge Relief for England Ahead of Perth Test

England pacer Mark Wood has been cleared of any hamstring injury, giving a huge relief to the team ahead of the Ashes opener against Australia in Perth next week. Wood experienced hamstring stiffness on the first day of the warm-up match against the England Lions and underwent scans on Friday, November 14. He bowled eight overs on his return to competitive cricket. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that the scans were precautionary after Wood felt some stiffness while running.

“Following precautionary scans on Friday, England fast bowler Mark Wood has been cleared of any concerns regarding his left hamstring,” the ECB said in a statement. Although the 35-year-old bowler is unlikely to play on Day 3 of the ongoing warm-up match against the Lions XI at Lilac Hill, the ECB confirmed that he will continue training as scheduled ahead of the first Test in Perth.

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England’s Preparation for Perth Test

“Wood will continue to train as planned ahead of the first Test in Perth,” the ECB said in the statement. If fit, Wood is likely to bowl alongside Jofra Archer, one of Brydon Carse or Josh Tongue, and Gus Atkinson in the first Ashes Test next week. Based on England’s warm-up match lineup, there is a high chance the team will use an all-pace attack, with some spin from Joe Root and pace from skipper Ben Stokes.

In the warm-up, Stokes took six wickets in the first innings, while former vice-captain Ollie Pope scored a century at No. 3, securing his place in the XI for the first Test.

Apart from the bowling choices, England do not have many decisions to make about their playing XI and will be looking to start the series with a win.