Encouraging Medical Update for England Cricket Before Important Ashes Series
English pace bowler Mark Wood was cleared from any concerns about his left hamstring following a scan conducted in Perth.
Wood gave England a health worry on the first day of their Ashes warm-up game versus the England Lions when he exited the field experiencing discomfort in his leg muscle.
Previous Health Concerns
It was the identical leg on which Wood underwent surgery following a knee problem earlier this year.
During his return post-operation, Wood bowled two four-over spells before leaving the field on Thursday.
Medical Approval and Comeback Timeline
- Durham's right-armer underwent scanning on Friday
- Has been given medical clearance to resume preparations
- First Test versus Australia at Optus Stadium on 21 November
The clearance came from injury concerns coincidentally Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood was ruled out of the first Test with a hamstring problem of his own.
Training Schedule and Squad Strategy
The bowler won't take part in today's final day of the tour game at Lilac Hill, however England stated he will "keep training as scheduled" in the build-up to the first Test.
It is a huge boost for the bowler, one of the fastest pace bowlers in England's history for England, albeit in a 37-Test career which has been blighted by fitness issues.
Recent Time Out and Return Possibilities
Wood hasn't featured in Test cricket for over a year, first because of an elbow problem, followed by knee problem.
Notwithstanding his time out, the team wanted the fast bowler to feature in their XI for the first Test, together with Jofra Archer, to hit Australia using speed on an anticipated fast pitch in Perth.
Squad Choices and Strategy
- Tourists hinted their strategy for the Ashes opener
- Including five pace bowlers, featuring Wood and Archer
- Without specialist spinner in the team for the tour game
Now England will have to consider including Wood in their team for the first Test, and potential impact the composition of their attack if he's unavailable.
Possible Alternatives
Josh Tongue might be selected as a like-for-like replacement, could opt to could turn to spin bowling with Shoaib Bashir or Will Jacks.
If Wood does not play on Perth Test, there is the possibility to improve match fitness in Lions fixtures.
England Lions Fixtures and Other Squad News
The Lions face a CA XI in Perth at the same time as the first Test, before progressing to a two-day pink-ball game against a Prime Minister's XI in Canberra.
In other news, wrist-spinner Rehan Ahmed has been ruled out of the remainder of Lions tour due to leg problem.
The spinner wasn't selected on selection for the Ashes squad as England preferred Jacks as backup spinner.
The 21-year-old is returning to England but is expected to recover to play for Hobart Hurricanes in BBL starting next month.
