Mark Wood Injury Raises Concern Before Ashes Test In Perth

England’s Ashes preparations have hit an early concern after fast bowler Mark Wood left the field with hamstring stiffness during a warm-up game in Western Australia. The 35-year-old pacer, known for his raw pace and energy, bowled eight overs for an England XI against an England Lions team but was forced to stop after feeling discomfort in his leg.

The incident happened on Thursday during the only official practice match before the first Ashes Test against Australia, which begins on November 21 at Perth Stadium. England’s coaching staff said that Wood would undergo scans to determine the seriousness of the issue before any decision is made about his participation in the remaining tour matches or the opening Test.

England’s vice-captain Harry Brook spoke to reporters after the match and said the situation would become clearer once the medical team had examined Wood. “That’s part of being an extremely fast bowler. I haven’t spoken to him yet, so I don’t know the current situation. We’ll see what happens tomorrow,” Brook said.

Wood’s injury scare is a concern for England as he brings valuable experience and speed to the bowling attack. Having a fit and in-form Wood is crucial for England’s Ashes campaign, especially in Australian conditions where pace and bounce play a major role.

Adding to the team’s worries, pace bowler Brydon Carse, aged 30, was unable to play in the warm-up match due to illness. He remained at the team hotel, leaving England short of fast-bowling options on the opening day.

Despite these challenges, England found some positives. Captain Ben Stokes, who was returning from a shoulder injury suffered against India in July, delivered a strong performance. Stokes took 6 wickets for 52 runs from 16 overs, leading the bowling attack and helping the team dismiss the Lions for 382 runs. His form and fitness were a major boost for England after months of recovery and limited cricket action.

Harry Brook praised Stokes’ comeback, saying, “It’s good to have him back in the side and leading from the front. We haven’t spent much time together in the recent few months, so to be back as a group and take 10 wickets was a successful day.”

Other England bowlers also contributed during the day. Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson, and Jofra Archer took one wicket each, using the conditions to adjust to the Australian pitches. However, spinner Joe Root struggled, conceding 117 runs from his 15 overs and managing only one wicket. Root, who is expected to play a supporting role with the ball, will aim to perform better with the bat in the coming innings.

Will Jacks was the standout batter for England XI, top-scoring with 84 runs. His innings helped the team stay competitive on a day that saw mixed fortunes. As the match moves into the next stage, England hopes to make the most of their time in the middle before the high-pressure Ashes series begins.

Brook acknowledged that the upcoming day’s play would not be easy. “It’s not going to be light work out there. It’s going to be a challenge, and the Lions bowlers are going to want to prove a point,” he said.

The warm-up match is being played at Lilac Hill, a picturesque ground located near the Swan Valley wine region, about 30 minutes from Perth. The ground has a rich cricket history, once hosting popular tour games featuring international sides. However, it had fallen out of use due to busy modern cricket schedules. This year, it returned to the spotlight as the main WACA Ground was occupied for a Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and Queensland.

During that domestic match, Australian all-rounder Cameron Green impressed with a score of 94, signaling good form ahead of the Ashes series.

For England, the priority now is ensuring that key players like Mark Wood and Brydon Carse recover fully before the main series begins. The team will be hoping that Wood’s hamstring issue turns out to be minor so he can be available to deliver the pace and aggression needed to challenge Australia’s strong batting lineup.

The coming days will determine whether Wood’s stiffness is just a precautionary concern or something more serious. With the Ashes series only a week away, England will be hoping for positive news from the medical reports to keep their plans on track.