England have named fast bowler Mark Wood in a 12-man squad for the first Ashes Test against Australia from Friday, raising the prospect of an all-seam frontline attack in Perth.
Wood has been given the all-clear after suffering a tight hamstring on day one of England’s sole warm-up against the Lions last week and bowled at impressive speeds in nets on Tuesday.
The 35-year-old – perhaps in line for his first Test appearance since August 2024 – is joined in an enlarged group by fellow quicks Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson and captain Ben Stokes, with Shoaib Bashir a spin option.
With the pitch at Optus Stadium expected to be lively, England may be tempted to go all-out pace, leaving Bashir, who struggled in the warm-up at Lilac Hill with combined figures of 2-151 from 24 overs, on the sidelines.
Perth groundsman Isaac MacDonald said: “If you look historically at every Test [in West Australia] pace and bounce is a mainstay and that’s not going to change. We’re sticking to our guns.”
Mark Wood bowled an ‘absolutely rapid’ spell in the nets on Tuesday, according to England team-mate Jamie Smith
Speaking on Wednesday about the prospect of England selecting Wood and Archer in the same Test XI for only the second time, captain Ben Stokes said: “We’ve still got a couple of days to go before that happens. As always, you’ll see a team as we get closer.”
Bashir has not played a competitive game since July after breaking his little finger during the third Test against India at Lord’s, while Wood’s last proper outing was in February, with the seamer then undergoing knee surgery and missing the home summer.
Ollie Pope, as expected, has won the battle with Jacob Bethell for the No 3 spot after a century and a 90 in the tune-up fixture, with Bethell, seamers Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts and off-spinning all-rounder Will Jacks omitted.
A lot has been made of us picking people that bowl fast but they are incredibly skilful as well and have shown that on numerous occasions in different conditions. Pace doesn’t just win you Test matches.
Athers expects all-pace attack: ‘Archer and Wood is mouth-watering’
Sky Sports Cricket’s Michael Atherton:
“The surprise is Bashir, who seemed a bit peripheral in the warm-up while Jacks did okay. One or two people were wondering whether Jacks would sneak into the 12 ahead of Bashir but he hasn’t. Bashir remains England’s No 1 spinner.
Shoaib Bashir is England’s spin option for the Ashes opener at Optus Stadium
“I guess the squad shows they are pretty confident in Wood’s fitness and that the final decision is not around that but around the balance of the side and whether they play a spinner or not.
“The pitch is getting progressively less green but I still think England might go with an all-seam attack.
“Wood has bowled quickly in the nets and it is an enticing, mouth-watering prospect to have two of England’s fastest bowlers, in Wood and Archer, together on supposedly the quickest pitch we will see.
“With Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins missing out for Australia, this is a massive opportunity for England now.
“That is not to be dismissive of the players Australia bring in but 600 Test wickets is hard to replace.”
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Australia’s Mitchell Starc, who will lead the attack in the absence of the injured Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, looks ahead to the first Test
Atkinson: Surreal to be in Australia
Speaking about the magnitude of The Ashes, England’s Akinson added: “It feels like we’ve been building up to this series for a while, since I’ve been in the team, so this will be a huge test for all of us.
“I’m really excited. The build-up has obviously been big but it’s the Ashes: it’s huge. Growing up you’re always watching it, so to be here in Australia is a bit surreal.
“I think there’s a few of us who haven’t played Test matches in Australia so there are no scars for me.
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Ben Stokes has urged his England squad to rise to the magnitude of The Ashes and feels the side are in a ‘good place’ to regain the urn
“We’ve obviously got players who have played a lot, like [Joe Root and Stokes] and we can speak to them.
“But I do think it’s a good thing that a few of us are coming in with not too much experience here.”
On bowling conditions in Australia, Atkinson said: “You hear about (Tests here) in the past and it’s all ‘pace, pace, pace’ but we’re hearing lately a bit more seam movement. For me personally, that’s something I’m looking forward to.”
Ashes series in Australia 2025-26
All times UK and Ireland
- First Test: Friday November 21 – Tuesday November 25 (2.30am) – Optus Stadium, Perth
- Second Test (day/night): Thursday December 4 – Monday December 8 (4.30am) – The Gabba, Brisbane
- Third Test: Wednesday December 17 – Sunday December 21 (12am) – Adelaide Oval
- Fourth Test: Thursday December 25 – Monday December 29 (11.30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground
- Fifth Test: Sunday January 4 – Thursday January 8 (11.30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground
