England's Pace Attack Boosted as Wood Declared Fit
In a significant boost for England's Ashes campaign, Mark Wood has been declared fully fit and available for selection in the first Test against Australia, commencing this Friday at Perth Stadium. The Durham fast bowler, who hasn't featured in a Test match since August 2024, came through an extended, high-intensity bowling session in the nets without any issues, allaying fears over a recent hamstring concern.
Seamers 'Licking Their Lips' at Perth Conditions
England's pace bowlers were reportedly delighted with the conditions during their first training session at the Perth Stadium. After experiencing softer pitches in Guildford, the pace and true bounce on offer in the nets had the attack licking their lips, according to teammate Josh Tongue. Jamie Smith, who faced Wood in the nets, confirmed the bowler was absolutely rapid and operating at near full capacity, a promising sign for the tourists.
Wood's fitness had been a talking point after he felt tightness in his hamstring during a warm-up match last week. However, a subsequent scan was primarily for the player's own reassurance, with the medical team never being overly concerned. While his left leg remained heavily strapped following March surgery, the hamstring issue has now cleared.
Freshness Versus Match Practice
Despite Wood's lack of first-class cricket since last August, Australian all-rounder Cameron Green suggested this could be a double-edged sword. While match overs are beneficial, Green noted that freshness could be a major advantage in a demanding five-Test series, allowing a bowler to be stronger in the crucial later matches.
Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith expressed his excitement at the prospect of playing in Australian conditions, relishing the chance to stand further back from the stumps due to the extra pace and bounce. In a light-hearted moment, Smith also ruled out attempting a long-distance stumping like Alex Carey's controversial dismissal of Jonny Bairstow in 2023, joking that he would be useless at it and wouldn't hit the stumps anyway.
With the stage set in Perth, England's pace arsenal, potentially featuring the returning Wood and the x-factor of Jofra Archer, believes it has the tools to challenge the historical dominance of Australian bowlers on home soil.
