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Encouraging Health Update for England Cricket Before Important Ashes Series

England fast bowler Mark Wood was given the all-clear from any concerns about his left hamstring after a scan in Perth.

The Durham bowler caused concern for England an injury scare on the first day of England's Ashes warm-up game against the England Lions when he left the field experiencing tightness in his hamstring.

Recent Injury History

It was the same left leg on which the 35-year-old had surgery after sustaining a knee injury earlier this year.

During his return since the surgery, Wood bowled two four-over spells before leaving the playing area yesterday.

Health Approval and Recovery Schedule

• The Durham right-armer had a scan this morning
• Has been given medical clearance to resume preparations
• First Test against Australia at Optus Stadium on 21 November

The clearance came from injury concerns on the same day Australia seamer Josh Hazlewood was ruled out for the opening Test with a hamstring problem himself.

Training Plans and Team Approach

Wood will not participate in Saturday's final day of the tour game in Perth, but England stated he'll "keep training as planned" during preparation to the first Test.

This represents a huge boost for the bowler, one of the fastest bowlers to ever play for England, albeit in a 37-Test career which has been affected by fitness issues.

Previous Absence and Return Possibilities

He has not played in Test cricket since August 2024, first because of an elbow problem, then the knee problem.

Despite the long absence, England were keen the fast bowler to feature in the playing eleven in the opening Test, alongside Jofra Archer, to hit Australia using speed on an anticipated fast pitch in Perth.

Squad Choices and Strategy

• Tourists hinted at their plans for the Ashes opener
• Naming five pace bowlers, including Wood and Archer
• No front-line spinner in their XI for the tour game

Now England will have to consider selecting Wood in the lineup for Perth Test, and how it would affect the balance of their bowling if he is not risked.

Potential Alternatives

Josh Tongue could be included as a like-for-like replacement, could opt to could turn to spin bowling with Shoaib Bashir or Will Jacks.

If Wood does not play in the first Test, there is the possibility to improve match fitness with England Lions.

Lions Schedule and Additional Squad News

England Lions face a CA XI at Lilac Hill at the same time as the first Test, before progressing to a two-day pink-ball game versus PM's XI in Canberra.

In other news, wrist-spinner Rehan Ahmed has been excluded of the remainder of Lions tour with a leg injury.

Ahmed missed out in the squad for Ashes tour as England preferred Jacks as their second spinner.

The 21-year-old is returning to England though anticipated to recover to represent Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League from next month.