England fast bowler Mark Wood has revealed his determination to stay mentally engaged following England’s heavy defeat in the opening Ashes Test against Australia in Perth. Speaking candidly on the For the Love of Cricket podcast, the 35-year-old seamer admitted he would even drive the 2,832 miles from Perth to Brisbane if it meant keeping his mind active ahead of the next Test.

The England squad suffered an eight-wicket defeat in Perth, bowled out inside 35 overs in their second innings, prompting discussions about recovery, team morale, and strategy as the series moves forward. Wood, who returned to international cricket after knee surgery, described the emotional toll of the match and emphasized the importance of resilience.

“It’s going to hurt and it should hurt for a few days. Ultimately, we have to stick together because there’s the end goal. It’s not just this one game,” Wood told former teammate Stuart Broad.
“We’re stuck here, it’s not like we can just get up and leave for Brisbane. If I could drive across the country I probably would, just to keep my mind going.”

England’s Ashes Schedule and Recovery Time

England face an 11-day gap between the first and second Ashes Tests, offering a window for reflection and preparation. Over the weekend, a two-day pink-ball match against a Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra is planned, though the squad for this fixture will primarily feature players from the England Lions rather than those who played in Perth.

Wood highlighted that the quick turnaround between innings in Perth wasn’t physically exhausting but emotionally taxing.

“It was just the emotion; the first days of the Ashes are always more draining than any other day,” he said.
“When we were back out on the field, the game had moved so quickly through bowl-bat-bowl that you never actually get to switch off.”

Wood’s Performance in Perth

Returning to competitive cricket after nearly nine months out due to knee surgery, Wood bowled economically in England’s first innings, conceding only 21 runs from eight overs. However, he went wicketless and bowled just 18 deliveries in the second innings as Australia chased victory quickly, highlighting the challenges facing England’s bowling attack.

Despite the defeat, Wood remains optimistic about England’s ability to bounce back in Brisbane, backing the seam attack to challenge Australia’s batting lineup.

“Australia will have confidence from that win. I know it’s only one player who stood out, but as a team, that gives them a lift,” Wood added.
“Their batters will be more confident, so it’s up to us to fight fire with fire and try to knock them over again.”

England will look to avoid losing the first two Tests of the series—a setback that has occurred in three previous Ashes tours. The team’s focus now turns to Queensland’s Gabba stadium, where they aim to regroup, strategize, and take the fight back to the hosts.

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