'rapid' Wood Bowls In Nets To Boost Ashes Hopes

Mark Wood's chances of playing successful nan first Ashes Test look to beryllium expanding aft nan England paceman bowled a "rapid" spell successful nan nets successful Perth connected Tuesday.

Wood has not played a Test since August 2024 and felt tightness successful his near hamstring during England's only Ashes warm-up match.

After being cleared of immoderate concerns complete a hamstring wounded by a scan, nan 35-year-old took portion successful England's first training convention astatine Perth Stadium.

With dense strapping connected his near knee - he had room earlier this twelvemonth - Wood first bowled disconnected a fewer paces past built up to what appeared to beryllium afloat velocity disconnected his afloat run.

Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, who faced Wood successful nan nets, said: "He was perfectly accelerated today. I tin show you that first hand.

"He's decidedly 1 to debar connected nan netting list. He was adjacent capable afloat tilt, truthful it's bully signs for us."

England whitethorn corroborate their XI for Friday's first Test against Australia connected Wednesday.

Wood could beryllium portion of a five-man England gait onslaught connected what is expected to beryllium a lively surface. On Wednesday, nan West Australian newspaper carried a image of nan Perth transportation connected its beforehand page, calling it a "green monster".

Ten names look group for nan tourists: nan regular apical seven, including fit-again skipper Ben Stokes, positive seamers Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson.

If England omit Wood, his spot could spell to chap seamer Josh Tongue aliases spin-bowling all-rounder Will Jacks.

Tongue said he could spot nary logic why Wood will not beryllium fresh for nan first Test.

"If his body's each bully and nan guidance deliberation he's bully to go, I don't spot why not," said Tongue.

Wood, 1 of nan fastest bowlers to play Test cricket for England, has a chequered wounded history.

His latest spell retired of nan Test broadside began 15 months agone pinch an elbow problem. When nan Durham man made his return successful white-ball cricket astatine nan opening of this year, he sustained nan knee wounded that required surgery.

While his inclusion would travel pinch an constituent of risk, England will beryllium keen to see him for his pace, erstwhile occurrence against Australia and nan value of starting nan bid well.

If England do section 5 seamers, Wood's workload tin beryllium balanced by nan different four. It would arguably beryllium harder to play him later successful nan bid erstwhile a spinner is needed, meaning location are only 3 different gait bowlers to stock nan load.

Wood was included arsenic 1 of 5 seamers - including all-rounder Stokes - for England's only warm-up crippled against England Lions astatine Lilac Hill past week.

He bowled 8 overs successful 2 spells of 4 connected nan first time - a workload that England said was pre-planned - but near nan section midway done nan day session.

He had a scan and received nan all-clear connected Saturday morning, but played nary further portion successful nan circuit game.

Australia are group to beryllium without skipper Pat Cummins and chap gait bowler Josh Hazlewood for nan bid opener, pinch Brendan Doggett successful statement for a debut.

Cummins, who is recovering from a backmost injury, has been bowling successful nan Perth nets arsenic he builds towards a imaginable return successful nan 2nd Test successful Brisbane connected 4 December.

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey did not norm retired Cummins springing a astonishment and playing nan first Test, but it is understood nan skipper will stay connected nan sidelines.

"The point for Pat is nan workload and getting capable overs successful his legs, making judge location are nary different injuries from bowling," said Carey.

"It looked for illustration his hit was there. It's awesome to spot and for him to nan astir nan group - he's a awesome leader.

"It's looking for illustration he's preparing really well. It would beryllium awesome to spot him backmost playing soon."