Mark Wood has become a major injury concern for England ahead of the Ashes opener after experiencing discomfort in his left hamstring during a warm-up match at Lilac Hill.

The 35-year-old speedster took to the field for the first time in nine months since a knee injury during the Champions Trophy. Wood bowled two four-over spells against the England Lions but was compelled to leave the pitch midway through the second spell in the afternoon.

In an effort to assess the situation, Wood is scheduled for a precautionary scan on Friday, as stated by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). They hope he will be able to resume bowling on Saturday.

Despite these measures, the timing of this setback—just over a week before the Ashes begin—means there is a strong possibility that England’s standout bowler from the 2021-22 series might miss the lineup at the Optus Stadium.

England’s captain, Ben Stokes, had expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of fielding both Wood and fellow fast bowler Jofra Archer at the series’ commencement, saying, “It would be exciting wouldn’t it?”

Mark Wood has given England a huge Ashes injury scare ahead of the first Test after experiencing left hamstring pain

The 35-year-old was bowling in a match situation for the first time since injury his knee in the Champions Trophy nine months ago

However, Stokes prudently added a note of caution, acknowledging, “It’s nine days until the first Test starts, and that’s ample time for either everything to align or for unforeseen issues to arise.”

‘At the moment from a fast bowling point of view, the guys we’ve picked are all in a really good place.’

Wood last played Test cricket against Sri Lanka in August 2024, and had attempted to come back during the home summer, only for plans to face India in the fifth Test or feature in the limited-overs matches versus South Africa in September to be stalled when fluid gathered on his rehabilitated knee.

He claimed 17 wickets in four appearances of England’s 4-0 loss to the Australians here four years ago, impressing with his express pace on the quicker pitches here.

His speed through the air was emphasised when he knocked Jordan Cox off his feet with a full delivery, after switching ends after lunch at the Midland Guildford club ground.

But it is the physical reaction to two spells of 4-1-12-0 and 4-0-17-0 that will be of most concern to an England team who arrived here with a fully-fit bowling arsenal.

Wood began his Ashes preparation with training sessions on England’s limited-overs tour of New Zealand, and appeared to be operating in top gear during centre-wicket bowling at the Basin Reserve, Wellington, a fortnight ago.

However, he offered a word of caution on arrival in Perth last week during a media conference, saying: ‘I wouldn’t say I am at 100%.’

Wood claimed 17 wickets in four appearances of England’s 4-0 loss to the Australians four years ago

The one major positive on a fielding day for England was Ben Stokes getting the ball through on a slow surface

Brydon Carse, another one of their fast bowling group, was unable to take his place in the England XI due to overnight sickness.

The one major positive on a fielding day for England pre-ordained by skipping a toss was Ben Stokes getting the ball through on a slow surface.

Stokes took all five of his five-wicket haul with short balls, returning figures of 12-2-45-4 across his first two six-over spells in the morning and afternoon sessions, and then striking again after tea, having been sidelined with a shoulder injury since the fourth Test against India last summer.

One selection that did raise eyebrows was England’s omission of Shoaib Bashir from their XI.

Although Australia’s Nathan Lyon is the most prolific bowler in five Test matches at Perth’s Optus Stadium with 29, team-mate Travis Head with three is the next most successful spinner.

On one hand, it suggests England are considering an all-seam attack for the series opener a week on Friday.

On the other, Bashir will be better prepared for Test cricket bowling at the Test top six – players of the ilk of Joe Root and Harry Brook – than their Lions equivalents, who passed 300 thanks to half-centuries from Ashes squad member Will Jacks, Ben McKinney, Cox and 17-year-old Thomas Rew.