Ashes Injury Scare For England With Mark Wood In Hospital For Scan On Hamstring

England endured nan astir chilling of starts to their Ashes warm-up pinch a imaginable wounded to Mark Wood meaning nan cardinal fast-bowler will commencement nan 2nd time of their solitary pre-series fixture successful infirmary alternatively than connected nan pitch.

Wood reported “stiffness successful his hamstring” astatine nan extremity of his 2nd four-over spell against nan Lions astatine Lilac Hill and will person a precautionary scan connected Friday greeting to measure nan grade of immoderate damage.

England’s scheme had been for Wood to vessel 8 overs crossed nan opening time against nan Lions, a number he reached successful nan hr aft lunch. The 33-year-old instantly near nan field, and though sources successful nan England campy initially put this down to thirst erstwhile he grounded to return aft beverage a much sobering update emerged.

This is Wood’s first crippled of immoderate benignant since England’s Champions Trophy lucifer against Afghanistan successful Lahore successful February. He underwent room for medial ligament harm connected his near knee – nan aforesaid limb that is presently troubling him – nan pursuing month. Though he hoped to return successful clip to play astatine slightest nan last Test against India successful July – and he precocious told nan Guardian that he “could person played astatine nan backmost extremity of nan season” – England decided to err connected nan broadside of be aware truthful arsenic not to jeopardise his information successful nan Ashes. The mobility now is whether, moreover if nan scan finds nary important injury, they should again return nan cautious attack and time off him retired of nan opening Test, fixed that it starts successful Perth arsenic soon arsenic adjacent Friday.

Wood has been expanding his loads successful training since nan summer, having arrived successful New Zealand astir a period agone to commencement ramping up his Ashes preparations, and he has reported nary issues successful that time. England’s dream now is that his scan is clear, and that he is capable to vessel again connected Saturday, successful statement pinch their pre-match planning. They whitethorn beryllium encouraged by Australia’s Josh Hazlewood, who underwent a scan connected his hamstring connected Wednesday aft reporting tightness while playing for New South Wales against Victoria successful nan Sheffield Shield, but aft being fixed a cleanable measure of wellness will study for world work arsenic planned.

Brydon Carse had already been ruled retired of nan commencement of nan Lions crippled done illness, having reported tummy issues connected nan greeting of nan game. He was replaced successful nan England XI by Josh Tongue but named successful nan Lions’ 13-man squad and could still vessel connected days 2 and three.