Is Mark Wood Ready to Bowl Seam Ahead of the Ashes Opener?
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Synopsis
Mark Wood's impressive return to bowling in Perth could be crucial for England's Ashes chances. Despite a hamstring scare, he showcased his skills in training, raising hopes for the team's performance. Will he play a pivotal role in the series? Read on to find out more!
Key Takeaways
- Mark Wood has returned to bowling after a hamstring scare.
- His performance in training boosts England's Ashes prospects.
- Wood has consistently been a top pace bowler for England.
- Uncertainty remains about his selection for the first Test.
- Coaches and teammates are optimistic about his recovery.
Perth, Nov 18 (NationPress) The chances of England performing well in the Ashes have received a considerable boost with speedster Mark Wood seen bowling at training in Perth, following a hamstring scare. During England's nets session at Optus Stadium, he was spotted delivering full seam with one leg securely strapped.
Having missed the entire English season due to a knee injury, Wood experienced hamstring stiffness during the tourists' only Ashes warm-up match at Lilac Hill and was subsequently sent for scans.
His fitness status was in doubt, particularly as Josh Hazlewood was also ruled out of Australia's squad for the Perth Test due to a hamstring strain. However, Wood's return to bowling has brought renewed optimism to the England squad during their first of three training sessions at Perth Stadium before the opening Test on Friday.
Even if Wood does not make the team for the first Test, his rapid recovery from the hamstring scare indicates he is on track to play a pivotal role in the series. He has consistently been England’s leading pace bowler in the last two Ashes campaigns. Wood challenged young England batter Jacob Bethel and several other squad members in a six-over session lasting about 30 minutes, as reported by The Age.
England's bowling coach David Saker conversed with Wood between deliveries while the bowler wore a compression sleeve on his left leg, where he has faced a knee injury this year along with the recent hamstring issue.
After jogging and a few warm-up deliveries, Wood bowled with a full run, occasionally beating the bat and forcing Bethel to quickly respond to some short balls. Later, during Wood's training, England captain Ben Stokes assumed umpire duties to observe his fast bowler closely, even dramatically calling a dead ball when Wood halted mid-delivery.
England coach Brendon McCullum spoke with director Rob Key as they watched Wood bowl, after which Key approached Saker for further discussion.
With Wood's participation in the Ashes opener still uncertain, it remains to be seen how he performs if selected in the XI.
Point of View
Mark Wood's return to bowling is a significant development for England's Ashes campaign. His prior injuries raised concerns, but his recent performance in training indicates a promising recovery. The team is eager to leverage his skills in the upcoming matches, making this a noteworthy storyline in the cricketing world.
NationPress
18/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What injury did Mark Wood suffer from?
Mark Wood faced hamstring stiffness and had previously missed the English season due to a knee injury.
Is Mark Wood confirmed to play in the first Ashes Test?
Mark Wood's participation in the opening Test remains uncertain, but his training performance suggests he could play a key role in the series.
How did Wood perform during training?
During training, Mark Wood displayed impressive skills, bowling full seam and challenging young players like Jacob Bethel.
