England’s preparations for the first Ashes Test received a significant boost with confirmation that fast bowler Mark Wood is fit and available for selection in Perth. Wood bowled at full intensity in the nets without discomfort, a clear sign his recent hamstring concern has subsided. The sight of the speedster later padding up to bat further underscored his readiness.
The training session at Perth Stadium offered England’s seam attack their first feel of the local conditions, and the early feedback was highly positive. The pace and bounce in the practice facilities were a welcome change from the softer surfaces encountered during their domestic warm-up, with bowlers reportedly excited by the prospect.
Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, who faced Wood’s deliveries, attested to the bowler’s sharpness. He described the pace as formidable and expressed confidence in Wood’s potential inclusion, pending final management approval.
Fellow quick Josh Tongue echoed the enthusiasm, noting the truer bounce and increased pace compared to previous sessions. He believes the current English bowling group, with its blend of express pace and skill, is well-equipped to challenge Australian batters on these surfaces, despite historical struggles for visiting attacks.
While Wood has limited recent red-ball mileage, the perspective from within the camp suggests his freshness could be an asset over the course of a demanding five-match series.
For Smith, the Australian conditions present a different and appealing challenge behind the stumps, anticipating the chance to stand deeper due to the extra bounce, a contrast to the slower wickets at home.
Meanwhile, Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey opted to sidestep questions regarding past controversies, focusing instead on the upcoming contest. He did, however, offer strong praise for potential debutant Brendan Doggett, highlighting the seamer’s excellent recent form and suggesting the Perth pitch would suit his style.
The stage is now set in Perth, with England’s pace resources looking robust and both teams assessing conditions that traditionally favor fast, aggressive cricket.