England fast bowler Mark Wood has issued a defiant rallying cry, urging his team to 'fight fire with fire' after a humbling two-day defeat in the first Ashes Test against Australia in Perth.
A 'Flat' Dressing Room and a Call to Arms
Speaking candidly on the For the Love of Cricket podcast, Wood admitted the mood in the England camp was 'flat' following the rapid loss. The match concluded on Monday 24 November 2025, leaving little time for the tourists to regroup.
Despite the disappointment, the paceman expressed unwavering confidence in his side's ability to recover in the high-stakes series. He pointed to the early success of England's pace attack, which skittled the Australian batting line-up on the first day, as a significant reason for optimism moving forward.
Pink-Ball Hope at the Gabba
Wood specifically highlighted the upcoming day-night Test at Brisbane's Gabba ground as a prime opportunity for England to level the series. The unique conditions of the pink-ball match are seen as a potential advantage for England's seamers.
Acknowledging the frustration of the travelling fans and supporters back home, Wood offered a firm assurance. 'We feel the pain too,' he stated, emphasising that the entire squad is channelling that disappointment into preparation for the remaining four matches.
Lions Side Also Tasted Defeat
In a separate development that compounded a difficult period for English cricket, Andrew Flintoff's England Lions team were also soundly beaten. They suffered an eight-wicket defeat to a Cricket Australia XI, with Josh Inglis scoring an unbeaten century for the hosts.
With the series still very much alive, all eyes now turn to Brisbane, where Wood and his teammates will be desperate to make good on his promise of a fiery response.
