Ashes 2025-26: Mark Wood to miss Perth test? Jamie Smith drops a massive update on pacer's fitness

Mark Wood has not played competitive cricket for the last nine months.

With a 40-minute stint in the nets at Perth’s Optus Stadium, where the Ashes 2025-26 start on Friday, Mark Wood’s prospects of participating in the opening test match against Australia improved on Tuesday.

On a pitch that is thought to be among the quickest in the world, England are anticipated to choose an all-pace attack. Before training, they received their first glimpse at the surface, which had been watered yesterday.

In addition to being the fastest member of the touring team and possibly the circuit, Mark Wood is an essential part of their strategy because he is the only specialist bowler with prior Ashes tour experience.  

During the 2021–22 series, Wood was the most impressive fast bowler, collecting 17 wickets at a rate of 26.64. Several of the hitters he disturbed are still on the current Australian team.

“He’s near enough full tilt” – Jamie Smith Mark Wood’s fitness is a good sign for England

Mark Wood, whose left leg was severely bandaged, was first observed as England resumed training following a few days off after recovering from a hamstring scare during the warm-up match against the England Lions last week.

But before long, he was working with the ball in a significant way, as Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum examined their valuable asset from the perspective of the standing umpire.

“He was absolutely rapid today; I can tell you that firsthand. He’s definitely one to avoid on the list. He’s near enough to full tilt, so it’s a good sign for us,” Jamie Smith told ESPNCricinfo.

However, much depends on how Mark Wood’s fitness stands on Wednesday and whether he can get through another session later in the day. After suffering a stress fracture to his right elbow in September 2024, he has been recuperating from left knee surgery for the past nine months, and he hasn’t played competitive cricket since February.

Choosing Mark Wood is still risky, but it will be mitigated by the presence of four other quicks, including Stokes and Jofra Archer, who can offer additional support in terms of express pace.  

“It feels like if he’s good to go and the management feels he’s good to go, I don’t see why not,” said Josh Tongue, who would likely benefit if Wood is found unfit for selection.

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