Mark Wood’s long-awaited comeback lasted just eight overs on Wednesday, the fast bowler leaving Lilac Hill with a stiff left hamstring during England’s sole Ashes warm-up against the Lions.
An England and Wales Cricket Board statement set out the simple plan that went awry: “The plan for Mark Wood was for him to bowl eight overs today,” it read. “He has some stiffness in his hamstring, which has kept him off the field for some time during the second session of the first day and will undergo a precautionary scan tomorrow.” The update added: “He is expected to bowl again in two days’ time. It is unlikely he will return to the field today.”
Wood, 35 next month, had not played competitively since knee surgery in February. His first spell was brisk enough on a slow surface, a reminder of how awkward he can be even when there is little pace in the pitch. The second four-over burst, however, ended with him stretching out the hamstring then heading straight for the boundary rope and the physio’s notebook.
England insist the scan is precautionary, yet the timing is awkward. The opening Test at Optus Stadium is less than a fortnight away, and head coach Brendon McCullum has spoken openly about using Wood’s extra pace to ruffle Australia’s top order.
With Shoaib Bashir omitted from the main XI, England fielded an all-seam attack, only for further disruption to strike. Brydon Carse woke up unwell, remained at the team hotel and did not bowl a ball. The workload therefore fell on Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes and Gus Atkinson, Stokes collecting four of the five wickets to fall before tea in his first outing since late July. It was controlled rather than fiery, though the captain’s competitive streak was obvious.
Wood’s fitness will be monitored alongside that of Australia’s quicks. Josh Hazlewood was cleared of his own hamstring niggle on Tuesday, but Sean Abbott has been ruled out of the series with a moderate strain. Both sides, it seems, are already counting body parts before a ball has been bowled in anger.
The England camp remain outwardly calm — a familiar stance in early-tour weeks — and point to two further practice days at the WACA later this week. A pleased-but-realistic Stokes described the overall workout as “a decent hit-out” off microphone, happy enough with how the ball came out but clearly hoping his spearhead is back running in soon.
