Mark Wood named fit as England announce 12-player squad for first Ashes Test against Australia in Perth
Updated 20/11/2025 at 11:34 GMT
England's 12-player squad for the first Test of the 2025/26 NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes series has been announced, and their pace attack has been handed a significant boost with the inclusion of Mark Wood. The 35-year-old has not played a Test match in over a year. All five matches of this year's Ashes Tests will be available to watch live via TNT Sports and discovery+.
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Mark Wood has been named in England's 12-player squad for the first Test of the 2025 NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes.
Wood has not played a Test match since August 2024, and managed just eight overs in England's warm-up match against England Lions before complaining of a tight left hamstring.
He underwent a precautionary scan, and was subsequently cleared "of any concerns regarding his left hamstring," according to a statement by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
Wood bowled in the nets during England's first training session on Tuesday, with heavy strapping on his left knee.
In quotes carried by the BBC, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, who faced Wood in the nets, said: "He was absolutely rapid today. I can tell you that first hand.
"He's definitely one to avoid on the netting list. He was near enough full tilt, so it's good signs for us."
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Wood joins Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse and all-rounder Ben Stokes in England's pace attack for the opening Test at Perth Stadium on Friday.
The inclusion of Shoaib Bashir, though, adds a spin option for England, with the surface at the Australian venue expected to dry out through the week.
All five matches of this year's Ashes series will be available to watch live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
England captain Stokes is another who had to contend with injury in the lead-up to this year's Ashes.
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He recovered from a shoulder issue and played a starring role with six wickets during the warm-up win over England Lions, and will hope to play a part in all five matches Down Under, having missed matches in each of England's last three series through injury.
England are looking to win their first Ashes on Australian soil since 2010/11, and reclaim the urn for the first time since 2015.
Brendon McCullum's side are also hunting their first Test victory in Perth since 1978.
England's 12-player squad for first Ashes Test
Ben Stokes (C)
Jofra Archer
Gus Atkinson
Shoaib Bashir
Harry Brook
Brydon Carse
Zak Crawley
Ben Duckett
Ollie Pope
Joe Root
Jamie Smith (WK)
Mark Wood
Jofra Archer
Gus Atkinson
Shoaib Bashir
Harry Brook
Brydon Carse
Zak Crawley
Ben Duckett
Ollie Pope
Joe Root
Jamie Smith (WK)
Mark Wood
- - -
Watch and stream the 2025/26 Ashes series live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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