Ahead of the much-anticipated Ashes Test series, England`s pacer Mark Wood is back bowling at pace against his teammates in practice.
Earlier, the pacer had withdrawn from a trial match against the second-string England team as he sustained a hamstring injury in his first appearance since returning from the knee surgery.
Presently, he had a 30-minute full-fledged bowling session in the nets at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The first Test match of the Ashes series is scheduled to be played at the same venue from November 21.
Speaking on his bowling, England`s wicketkeeper-batsman Jamie Smith said that Wood has been bowling at a good pace. The “Three Lions” can enter the series opener with him and Jofra Archer at the venue, which is known for yielding results for pacers.
“He was quick enough, I can tell you that from facing him. He`s bowling very good pace, and it`s obviously great preparation for what we`ve got in store here,” said Jamie.
“I feel our bowling group have a good chance of getting 20 wickets in the game,” Josh Tongue, one of England`s fast bowling options, said after practice in Perth.
On the other hand, Australia will enter the clash without the services of their pacers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, with both ruled out of the opener with injuries. In Cummins` absence, veteran batsman Steve Smith is all set to take over the leadership duties for the Aussies.
Having all-rounder Cameron Green back in the Test bowling attack for the first time since March 2024 could help to settle the combination for the hosts.
Green, who didn`t play a Test for more than a year after undergoing back surgery in the middle of last year, returned to international cricket in June but only as a batter.
He bowled 16 overs across two innings in a domestic first-class match for Western Australia against Queensland in Perth last week and said he`s under no restrictions for the test.
The Perth match will be followed by a day-night Test at the Gabba in Brisbane starting December 4, then the series moves to Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.
(With AP Inputs)