The England Cricket Team has received a major blow ahead of the Ashes 2026 as fast bowler Mark Wood has experienced Stiffness in his left hamstring during their only warm-up match in Perth.

Wood, who is returning from nine months out following surgery on his left knee, bowled two four-over spells against the England Lions at Lilac Hills.

He left the field midway through his second spell after experiencing discomfort. Despite the hamstring issue, Wood delivered several lively balls on a relatively slow surface, which contrasts sharply with the expected conditions for the first test at Optus Stadium.

His fitness will be a major concern for England’s campaign ahead of the series opener.

“The plan for Mark Wood was for him to bowl eight overs today. He has some stiffness in his hamstring, which has kept him off the field for some time during the second session of the first day and will undergo a precautionary scan tomorrow,” said a statement from the England Board.

“He is expected to bowl again in two days’ time. It is unlikely he will return to the field today,” said an ECB statement.

Mark Wood was part of the England pace attack against the England Lions, with offspinner Shoaib Bashir not selected in the playing 11.

“That’s not ideal, but that’s part of being an extremely fast bowler,” Harry Brook said after the day’s play. “I haven’t seen him yet and spoken to him, so I don’t know his current situation. We’ll see what happens tomorrow.”

The development comes just a day after Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood was cleared fit by Cricket Australia.

However, Sean Abbott has been ruled out after scans confirmed a moderate-grade strain in his left hamstring.

The first match of the Test series will be played on November 21 and 25 at Optus StadiumPerth.