England’s fast bowler Mark Wood experienced tightness in his left hamstring. This was on the first day of the Ashes warm-up match between Australia A and the England Lions in Perth. This incident was a cause for concern both for the England setup and supporters alike, particularly due to Wood’s past injury woes.
Wood walked off the fields in the middle of the second practice session at Lilac Hill after sending down eight overs in two spells. His performance was a part of a well orchestrated workload. England prepared for the series ahead with a five-man pace attack. During his first appearance on the mound he registered a blistering 91 mph on the radar gun. This feat is a testament to his competitive pedigree and performance on the field.
This game saw Wood’s return to professional cricket after a long, injury-induced gap. He hasn’t featured in a Test match since August 2024. Instead, an elbow injury late that summer put paid to the rest of his season. Wood returned to white-ball cricket earlier this year. Unfortunately, his knee gave out on him in the early stages of the Champions Trophy, requiring surgery.
As a result of this new hamstring injury, and with Wood’s recent history of injuries, England is just being careful in testing Wood’s fitness. Although no date has been announced for re-evaluation, he is due for re-examination soon. The team’s medical staff remain hopeful that Wood will still be fit to bowl. They can’t wait for Saturday, when the third and final day of the warm-up match begins.
The prospect of any injury to Wood therefore remains a terrifying thought for England. His pedigree as a wicket-taking fast bowler has ensured that he has been an ever-present as far as the team’s balance goes. Harry Brook, a teammate, acknowledged the challenge of being a fast bowler, stating:
“It’s not ideal, but it’s part of being an extremely fast bowler.” – Harry Brook
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