Archive · 13 Nov 2025
Mark Wood Suffers Hamstring Stiffness Ahead of Ashes Opener
England's fast bowler Mark Wood felt a tight muscle in his left leg during a practice game in Australia.
He had to stop playing for a while and will get a special picture taken (a scan) to check on it.
This happened before the big 'Ashes' games against Australia start.
Wood had knee surgery before and is often injured.
He's supposed to try bowling again in a couple of days, but doctors want to be sure he's okay for the first game.
Other fast bowlers are also playing in the warm-up game.
Pace bowler Mark Wood experienced hamstring stiffness during England's only warm-up match before the Ashes series in Perth.
Wood left the field after bowling eight overs and will undergo a precautionary scan on Friday.
He is expected to resume bowling in two days, but his availability for the first Ashes Test remains uncertain.
Wood has a history of injuries, including recent knee surgery, and experienced stiffness in his left hamstring.
England's warm-up strategy has drawn criticism from former players, though captain Ben Stokes defended it.
- Who
- England pace bowler Mark Wood
- What
- Experienced hamstring stiffness in his left leg during a warm-up match, leading to a precautionary scan.
- When
- Thursday (left field during warm-up), Friday (precautionary scan)
- Where
- Perth, Australia (Lilac Hill warm-up match)
- Why
- To assess the severity of the hamstring stiffness and potential impact on his availability for the Ashes opener.
Former Players
England Captain Stokes
Warm-up Preparations
Former Players
Criticized the strategy of having only one red-ball warm-up match before the Ashes series.
England Captain Stokes
Defended the preparations, citing the "jam-packed" modern cricket schedule and limited options.
- Player
- Mark Wood
- Team
- England
- Issue
- Hamstring stiffness (left)
- Incident
- Felt stiffness after bowling 8 overs during warm-up match.
- Next Steps
- Precautionary scan on Friday, expected to bowl again in two days.
- Location
- Perth, Australia
- Event
- Ashes Test series
