Cliff Notes – Wood sent for scan after hamstring stiffness in Ashes warm-up
- Mark Wood experienced stiffness in his left hamstring during England’s warm-up match in Perth, raising concerns ahead of the Ashes series.
- The ECB confirmed Wood will undergo a precautionary scan, with hopes he can bowl again in two days.
- This injury scare follows a day after Australia’s Josh Hazlewood was cleared of a hamstring issue, while Sean Abbott was withdrawn from the squad due to a strain.
Wood sent for scan after hamstring stiffness in Ashes warm-up
England have received a major injury scare ahead of the Ashes after quick Mark Wood experienced stiffness in his left hamstring during their only warm-up match in Perth.
Wood had bowled two four-over spells against the Lions at Lilac Hill in his first competitive match in nine months since surgery on his left knee. He left the field after his second four-over spell midway through the second session.
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“The plan for Mark Wood was for him to bowl eight overs today,” an ECB statement said. “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.
“He is expected to bowl again in two days’ time. It is unlikely he will return to the field today.”
Wood had bowled several lively deliveries on a relatively sedate surface, conditions far different to what is expected in the first Test at Optus Stadium. He is part of an all-out England pace attack against the Lions, with offspinner Shoaib Bashir not selected in the main XI.
Captain Ben Stokes had been the standout bowler with four of the five wickets to fall before tea in an encouraging return in his first match since late July.
The development comes just a day after Australia quick Josh Hazlewood was cleared of a hamstring injury. But fellow Ashes Test squad member Sean Abbott was withdrawn from the squad after scans on his left hamstring confirmed a moderate grade strain.