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Encouraging Health Update for England Cricket Team Ahead of Important Ashes Campaign

English fast bowler Mark Wood has been cleared from any worries about his left hamstring following medical scans in Perth.

The Durham bowler caused concern for England an injury scare on the first day of their pre-Ashes practice game versus England Lions when he left the field suffering tightness in his leg muscle.

Previous Health Concerns

This occurred on the identical leg on which Wood underwent surgery after sustaining a knee problem in February.

During his return since the surgery, the fast bowler bowled two four-over sessions before leaving the playing area on Thursday.

Health Approval and Recovery Timeline

• Durham's fast bowler had a scan this morning
• Received the go-ahead to resume preparations
• Opening Test versus Australia in Perth on 21 November

The clearance came from injury concerns on the same day Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood was declared unavailable for the opening Test with a hamstring problem himself.

Preparation Plans and Squad Strategy

Wood will not participate in today's final day of the practice match at Lilac Hill, but England stated he will "keep training as planned" during preparation to the first Test.

It is significant positive news for the bowler, one of the fastest bowlers to ever play representing England, though in 37 Test matches that has been blighted by injuries.

Recent Absence and Return Prospects

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

Notwithstanding his time out, England were keen for Wood to feature in the playing eleven in the opening Test, together with Jofra Archer, to hit Australia with pace on what is expected to be a lively surface in Perth.

Team Choices and Tactics

• Tourists hinted their strategy for the Ashes opener
• Including five pace bowlers, featuring Wood and Archer
• No front-line spinner in the team for practice match

The English management will have to weigh up including Wood in their team for Perth Test, and potential impact the balance of their bowling if he is not risked.

Possible Replacements

Josh Tongue might be selected as a like-for-like replacement, or England consider spin bowling with Shoaib Bashir or Will Jacks.

If Wood does not play on Perth Test, there is the option to improve match fitness in Lions fixtures.

England Lions Schedule and Additional Team News

The Lions meet a Cricket Australia XI at Lilac Hill at the same time as the first Test, then move on to a two-day day-night match against a Prime Minister's XI in Canberra.

Meanwhile, leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has been ruled out from remaining part of Lions tour due to leg problem.

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

Ahmed will return to England though anticipated to recover to play for Hobart Hurricanes in BBL from next month.