Mark Wood set to play in first Ashes Test, included in 12-man England squad – The Athletic
England fast bowler Mark Wood has been included in a 12-man England squad and is set to play in the first Ashes Test, which starts on Friday.
Wood has been out of competitive action since February after undergoing knee surgery to repair medial ligament damage sustained in the Champions Trophy against Afghanistan.
His selection for England’s touring squad to Australia raised eyebrows as a result, while he was limited to only eight overs in the team’s solitary warm-up match against a Lions XI at Lilac Hill Park last week before complaining of tightness in his left hamstring.
England suggested that work-load — two four-over spells — was pre-planned, and subsequent scans on the hamstring indicated no signs of a strain. But the Durham bowler’s chances of making the first Test still appeared slim.
However, the first of three England practice sessions at Perth Stadium on Tuesday saw the 35-year-old, with a heavily strapped left leg, taking part and pushing his case for involvement come Friday. Having initially bowled off a few paces, he built up speed and eventually operated off his full run up.
“Definitely it was quick enough — I can tell you that from facing him,” said wicketkeeper Jamie Smith at a press conference held shortly after England’s practice session.
“I always seem to be stuffed on the board. I faced Jofra (Archer, fellow England fast bowler) at Lilac Hill the other day and Woody this week. I know they’ve got guys that are all bowling 90 miles an hour, but there are some that you’re just desperate to avoid, and I think Woody is definitely one of them here, with the reputation of the nets.
“He’s bowling a very good pace and it’s obviously great preparation for what we’ve got in store here, so you can’t really complain.”
Mark Wood bowling during England’s net session at Perth Stadium on Tuesday (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
England named their squad on Wednesday and included off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the group for the game at Perth Stadium (also known as Optus Stadium). The 22-year-old bowled for both sides in that warm-up match at Lilac Hill last week with combined figures of 24-0-151-2.
Yet the tourists were always expected to select a bowling attack comprised entirely of seamers in the first Test to make the most of the Perth wicket, which is considered one of the fastest and bounciest in the world. That would see Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse and captain Ben Stokes, who took six wickets in the first innings against the Lions, take to the field on Friday.
Another seamer, Nottinghamshire’s Josh Tongue, missed out on inclusion. Also omitted was spin-bowling all-rounder Will Jacks, who had pushed his own cause at Lilac Hill with both bat and ball for the Lions last week.
Asked if Wood could feature in the first Test, Tongue said: “If his body is all good and the management think he’s good to go out, I don’t see why not.
“Any fast bowler would like a bit of pace and bounce in any wicket, especially from last week at Lilac Hill; it wasn’t as quick. But bowling in the nets today, it was a lot more truer bounce, good pace in the wicket.
“I was batting next to Smudge (Smith) when he was facing Woody and he was definitely getting it through, so I think as bowlers, you definitely lick your lips.”
