England fast bowler Mark Wood has been given the all-clear over a left hamstring concern ahead of the opening Ashes Test in Perth, while Australia will be without Josh Hazlewood after he suffered a hamstring injury.
Wood experienced stiffness after bowling eight overs in England’s only warm-up match against the England Lions. Having returned from nearly nine months out following knee surgery, the paceman underwent precautionary scans. The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed there were no issues with his left hamstring, and Wood will continue training as scheduled ahead of the Test at Optus Stadium. He did not bowl on the final day of the tune-up but is expected to resume work after a short rest.
Team-mate Brydon Carse said Wood was relieved the scans were clear and predicted a few days of rest and training would have him ready: he described Wood as energetic and resilient and said the bowler was confident the problem was minor.
Australia’s news was less positive. Hazlewood picked up a hamstring problem while playing for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield. Initial imaging on Wednesday showed no obvious muscle strain, but follow-up scans revealed a hamstring strain and muscle tear. As a result, Michael Neser has been added to Australia’s squad to provide cover.
Cricket Australia explained that early scans can sometimes miss low-grade muscle injuries, and repeat imaging led to the confirmed diagnosis. Hazlewood will miss the Perth Test, and captain Pat Cummins is also unavailable because of a back issue.
Scott Boland is expected to take over the captain’s bowling role in Cummins’ absence. For Hazlewood’s spot, the uncapped Brendan Doggett is the frontrunner to face England, with Neser a backup option. Carse paid tribute to Hazlewood’s quality, calling him a leading figure in world cricket and a bowler he has long admired.
Wood’s clearance is a timely boost for England as Ben Stokes’ side weigh up the possibility of an all-seam attack in Perth. With several quicks capable of bowling at 90mph-plus, England could name a pace-heavy XI featuring Wood, Stokes, Carse, Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson. If Wood is rested, Josh Tongue is the likely replacement. Shoaib Bashir remains the main spinner in the touring party, with Will Jacks covering spin and Joe Root able to bowl occasional overs if England opt for five front-line seamers.
Former England captain Michael Atherton (Sky Sports Cricket) highlighted the selection challenge: Wood has played very little cricket since his knee operation, so starting him in Perth carries risk. Atherton noted the significance of missing Hazlewood and Cummins for Australia, saying the pair account for more than 600 Test wickets between them and their absences are a big blow. While Boland is a proven replacement for Cummins, the loss of Hazlewood leaves Australia having to consider less experienced options amid other injuries.
England Ashes squad:
Ben Stokes (captain), Harry Brook (vice-captain), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Mark Wood.
Australia squad for first Test:
Steve Smith (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
First Test details:
Optus Stadium, Perth — Friday November 21 to Tuesday November 25 (2:30am UK and Ireland time).
Ashes 2025–26 schedule (UK and Ireland times):
– First Test: Friday November 21 – Tuesday November 25 (2:30am) — Optus Stadium, Perth
– Second Test (day/night): Thursday December 4 – Monday December 8 (4:30am) — The Gabba, Brisbane
– Third Test: Wednesday December 17 – Sunday December 21 (12:00am) — Adelaide Oval
– Fourth Test: Thursday December 25 – Monday December 29 (11:30pm) — Melbourne Cricket Ground
– Fifth Test: Sunday January 4 – Thursday January 8 (11:30pm) — Sydney Cricket Ground
Summary: England have avoided a late blow with Mark Wood cleared to train after a precautionary hamstring scan, while Australia’s pace attack is weakened by Josh Hazlewood’s hamstring strain and Pat Cummins’ ongoing back issue, prompting changes to the home side’s squad for the Perth opener.