England Pacer Faces Injury Scare Ahead of First Ashes Test

PERTH: England's plans for the first Ashes Test in 2025 may be undermined as fast bowler Mark Wood strained his left hamstring during a warm-up in Perth.

After nine months of absence due to left knee surgery, Wood made his comeback. He bowled two four-over spells against the Australia A Lions at Lilac Hill.

Wood was forced to exit the field midway through his second spell during the second session. This raised doubts about his fitness for this opener at Optus Stadium on November 21.

“The plan for Mark Wood was for him to bowl eight overs today,” the ECB said in a statement.

“He felt some stiffness in his hamstring, which kept him off the field for part of the second session of day one.

“He will undergo a precautionary scan tomorrow. He is expected to bowl again in two days. It is unlikely he will return to the field today.”

Although he had been injured, Wood got glimpses of his pace and bounce on a relatively slow pitch. Nevertheless, the circumstances in the warm-up location are most likely to be a bit different than what should be taking place at the first Test, which is likely to be quicker and more bouncy.

England opted for a slower approach against the Lions, leaving off-spinner Shoaib Bashir out of the starting XI.

Bowling was led by team captain Ben Stokes, who claimed four of the five wickets that had fallen before tea - his first competitive bowling since the end of July.

The Australian camp is also active with reports on injuries. Josh Hazlewood, a fast bowler, was cleared of any hamstring issue, and Sean Abbott was pulled out after the scans revealed moderate injury to his left hamstring.

The series of Ashes, which is scheduled to start in Perth, is full of history. Australia has won 140 out of 340 Tests against England, while England has won 108.

Australia also prevailed in a series victory 34-32.