England fast bowler Mark Wood has received a major boost ahead of the 2025 Ashes series, being officially cleared of any lingering concerns over his left hamstring following a comprehensive scan in Perth.

The news comes after Wood raised eyebrows during England’s Ashes warm-up match against the England Lions, when he left the field showing signs of tightness in the same hamstring that had previously troubled him. This was the same leg that underwent surgery in February, following a knee injury that had sidelined him earlier in the year.

Wood’s Return to Action

Making his first appearance since surgery, the 35-year-old Durham pacer bowled two four-over spells on Thursday before taking a precautionary break. Friday’s scan revealed no damage, giving him the green light to resume full training and preparations for England’s first Test against Australia, scheduled for 21 November at Optus Stadium.

England confirmed that while Wood will sit out the final day of the tour game at Lilac Hill, he will continue to train and build match fitness ahead of the Ashes opener. This announcement coincided with the unfortunate news that Australia seamer Josh Hazlewood had been ruled out of the first Test due to a hamstring problem.

England’s Pace Attack Strategy

Wood’s return is a significant boost for England, whose pace arsenal will now feature both Wood and Jofra Archer, providing high-speed options to exploit what is expected to be a lively pitch at Optus Stadium. The touring side hinted at their intentions by naming five fast bowlers for the Lions tour game, deliberately leaving out a front-line spinner to prioritize pace.

The management now faces a tactical decision: whether to include Wood in the first Test lineup immediately or manage his workload cautiously. If England decide against rushing him back, Josh Tongue could slot in as a like-for-like replacement, or the team could consider bolstering spin options with Shoaib Bashir or Will Jacks.

Should Wood not feature in the opener, England still have opportunities to gradually build his match readiness through upcoming Lions fixtures. The Lions are scheduled to face a Cricket Australia XI at Lilac Hill, followed by a two-day pink-ball game against a Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra.

Injury Updates for England and Ashes Contenders

Meanwhile, leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has been ruled out of the remainder of the Lions tour due to a leg injury. Ahmed, 21, missed out on Ashes selection, with England opting for Jacks as their second spinner. He is expected to return to the UK and should be fit to participate in the Big Bash League with Hobart Hurricanes next month.

Wood’s clearance represents a major relief for England, who have been eagerly awaiting the return of one of the fastest bowlers in the country. Despite a career blighted by injuries, Wood remains a vital asset for England as they aim to reclaim the Ashes Down Under. His presence is expected to provide the team with the pace, experience, and firepower necessary to challenge Australia’s strong batting line-up.