Mark Wood has been declared fully fit for the first Ashes Test on Friday after bowling at full pace in the Perth Stadium nets without any issues. The England fast bowler, who underwent knee surgery in March, had his left leg heavily strapped but showed no signs of the hamstring tightness that troubled him during a warm-up match last week. A scan last Friday was primarily to ease Wood's fitness concerns, with team medical staff never seriously worried.
England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, who faced Wood in the nets, confirmed his teammate's readiness. “He was absolutely rapid today, I can tell you that first-hand,” Smith said. “He’s near enough full tilt, so it’s good signs for us.” Smith added that if Wood is deemed fit by management, he sees no reason why he wouldn't play.
England's seamers found the conditions at Perth Stadium much more to their liking than the softer ground in last week's practice game. Josh Tongue noted, “Like any fast bowler I like a bit of pace and bounce in any wicket, especially after last week at Lilac Hill, which obviously wasn’t as quick. Bowling in the nets, it was a lot more true bounce and a lot more pace in the wicket.” Tongue expressed confidence in England's bowling attack, which includes Wood and Jofra Archer, saying, “I think we can give it a good shot.”
Australia's Cameron Green, who has also had limited first-class cricket recently, downplayed concerns about Wood's lack of game time. “I think you come into a series so fresh, and especially in a five-Test series you want to be as fresh as you can at the back end,” Green said.
Smith, who will keep wicket in the Test, is looking forward to the pace and bounce of Australian pitches. He also ruled out attempting a long-distance stumping similar to Alex Carey's controversial dismissal of Jonny Bairstow in 2023, citing practical reasons. “Out here I’d be too far back to hit the stumps,” Smith said. “When I try to do that stuff in white-ball games I’m useless at it.”
Carey declined to discuss the Bairstow incident but praised South Australia teammate Brendan Doggett, who could make his Test debut due to Josh Hazlewood's hamstring injury. “He’s a fantastic teammate, really experienced and bowling as well as he ever has,” Carey said. “If he does get his chance, I think this wicket will suit him.”
