England obtained a well timed enhance forward of the Ashes after Mark Wooden was cleared of any hamstring injury following a precautionary scan in Perth. The quick bowler reported stiffness in his left leg in the course of the vacationers’ warm-up match towards England Lions on Thursday, elevating issues given his current harm historical past.
Wooden bowled two four-over spells on the opening day at Lilac Hill Park earlier than leaving the sector with tightness in the identical leg on which he underwent knee surgical procedure earlier this 12 months. The 35-year-old has not performed a Take a look at since August 2024, having first handled an elbow drawback after which a knee harm that sidelined him for 9 months.
An ECB assertion on Saturday confirmed that the scan confirmed no trigger for concern. “Following precautionary scans on Friday, England quick bowler Mark Wooden has been cleared of any issues concerning his left hamstring. He isn’t anticipated to characteristic at the moment, the third day of England’s warm-up match towards the Lions XI at Lilac Hill Park, Perth. Wooden will proceed to coach as deliberate within the build-up to the primary Take a look at in Perth,” the assertion stated.
Wooden won’t participate within the ultimate day of the tour sport, however England are assured he can be prepared for the opening Take a look at towards Australia at Optus Stadium on 21 November. His availability is especially vital given England’s want to pair him with Jofra Archer and unleash excessive tempo on a floor anticipated to supply bounce.
The excellent news for England got here on the identical day Australia confirmed that Josh Hazlewood had been dominated out of the primary Take a look at with a hamstring harm, dealing the hosts an early setback.
England named 5 seamers, together with Wooden and Archer, and no specialist spinner of their XI for the warm-up, signaling their most popular stability for the Ashes opener. Nevertheless, administration should nonetheless weigh up the danger of choosing Wooden so quickly after his return. Ought to they select a extra cautious strategy, Josh Tongue is the closest like-for-like substitute, whereas Shoaib Bashir or Will Jacks supply spin choices if England go for extra selection.
The sequence begins with the 21–25 November match in Perth, adopted by a day-night Take a look at on the Gabba in Brisbane from 4 December. The competition will then transfer to Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney as England look to regain the Ashes on Australian soil.
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