England's preparations for the upcoming Ashes series have been dealt a significant blow after key fast bowler Mark Wood sustained a hamstring injury during a warm-up match.
Injury Scare in Perth Warm-Up
The incident occurred on Thursday, 13 November 2025, during England's fixture against the England Lions in Perth. Wood, who had only recently returned to action following a nine-month absence due to knee surgery, managed to bowl eight overs before experiencing tightness in his hamstring.
The 34-year-old paceman is now scheduled for a precautionary scan to determine the full extent of the problem, with the first Ashes Test beginning in just a matter of days.
Significance for England's Ashes Campaign
Wood's potential absence would be a major setback for the English side. His express pace is viewed as a critical component of England's strategy to challenge Australia on their home turf.
England have not won an Ashes series in Australia since the 2010-11 tour, and Wood's ability to generate high speed is considered vital for disrupting the Australian batting line-up.
Stokes Provides Positive News Amid Concerns
In a more encouraging development from the same warm-up game, captain Ben Stokes delivered a standout performance with the ball. His display effectively demonstrated his readiness and allayed any lingering concerns about his fitness following a shoulder injury.
Prior to this setback, Wood had spoken confidently about the team's mindset, expressing a "quiet confidence" within the squad. He had also recently downplayed negative coverage from the Australian media, while still acknowledging that Australia remain the favourites to win the series.
