England's plans for the upcoming Ashes series have been dealt an early blow, with fast bowler Mark Wood forced from the field during a warm-up match in Perth due to a hamstring complaint.
Early Exit at Lilac Hill
In his first red-ball outing in nine months, Wood managed just two spells totalling eight overs against the English Lions at Lilac Hill Park on Thursday, November 13, 2025. The paceman, considered crucial to England's hopes of reclaiming the Ashes urn for the first time in a decade, left the field immediately after completing his eighth over.
While initial speculation suggested he was merely taking on fluids, Wood's absence extended through the entire final two-hour session of the day. This prompted an official statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), revealing the concerning reason behind his prolonged departure.
Precautionary Scans and Official Statement
The ECB confirmed that Wood reported stiffness in his left hamstring and will undergo precautionary scans on Friday. This development potentially rules him out for the remainder of the warm-up fixture.
"The plan for Mark Wood was for him to bowl eight overs today," an ECB spokesman stated. "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."
Despite the setback, the team remains cautiously optimistic about his short-term recovery. The spokesman added, "He is expected to bowl again in two days' time. It is unlikely he will return to the field today."
Existing Concerns and Ashes Implications
This new injury scare compounds existing fitness worries for the speedster. Wood arrived in Australia managing a lingering knee issue that had caused him discomfort during early training sessions last week.
His fitness is paramount to England's Ashes strategy, where his express pace is seen as a key weapon against Australian batsmen. With the first Test looming, any significant time lost to injury would be a major setback for the visiting side, putting his participation in the early stages of the highly anticipated series in doubt.
