Mark Wood: England fast bowler cleared of hamstring injury for Ashes

It is a huge boost for Wood, one of the fastest bowlers to ever play for England, albeit in a 37-Test career that has been blighted by injuries.

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

Despite the long absence, England were keen for Wood to be in their XI for the first Test, alongside Jofra Archer, to hit Australia with pace on what is expected to be a lively surface at Optus Stadium.

The tourists hinted at their plans for the Ashes opener by naming five pace bowlers, including Wood and Archer, and no front-line spinner in their XI for the tour game against the Lions.

Now England will have to weigh up including Wood in their team for the first Test, and how it would affect the balance of their attack if he is not risked. Josh Tongue could be included as a like-for-like replacement, or England could turn to a spin option in Shoaib Bashir or Will Jacks.

If Wood does not play in the first Test, there is the option to build his fitness in Lions fixtures.

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 pink-ball game against a Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra.

Meanwhile, leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has been ruled out of the remainder of the Lions’ tour with a leg injury.

Ahmed missed out on selection for the Ashes squad when England preferred Jacks as their second spinner.

The 21-year-old will return to the UK but is expected to be fit to play for Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League from next month.