England speedster Mark Wood has been declared fit and included in the 12-player squad announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for the opening Ashes Test against Australia at Perth Stadium. Wood, who had raised fitness concerns after feeling left hamstring stiffness during the warm-up game against the England Lions, underwent precautionary scans and was eventually cleared to play. Despite not bowling after the initial eight overs of the warm-up, Wood’s recovery has been positive, putting him in contention to feature in the playing XI for the high-stakes Ashes opener starting November 22, 2025.
Mark Wood makes the cut in England’s 12-man squad for Perth Ashes Test
England has opted for a pace-heavy bowling attack in anticipation of Optus Stadium’s fast and bouncy surface, including world-class pacers Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, and the fit-again captain Ben Stokes, alongside Wood.
The lone specialist spinner in the squad is Shoaib Bashir, with the possibility of Joe Root’s part-time spin as an additional option if an all-pace lineup is preferred. Wood’s fitness is a major boost for England, as his pace and experience are crucial on a pitch expected to assist seam bowling, offering England an aggressive bowling arsenal to counter Australia’s batting firepower.
Batting stability and squad composition for the Ashes
The batting lineup in England’s 12-man squad reflects stability and confidence, with no surprises reported. Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley are expected to open the innings, followed by a solid middle-order unit comprising Ollie Pope, Root, Harry Brook, Stokes, and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith. Ollie Pope has cemented his spot at number three following consistent performances, including a century and a near-century in warm-up games. This lineup balances youthful aggression and experienced dependability in England’s quest to reclaim the Ashes.
England have trimmed their Ashes squad to 12 from an initial group of 16, leaving out promising youngsters like Jacob Bethell, Josh Tongue, and Will Jacks for the Perth Test. The pace bowling depth allows England flexibility to decide whether to include Bashir or go with an all-pace battery, potentially dropping Carse or Atkinson if the spinner plays. England’s selectors have thus balanced fitness, form, and strategic demands to present a squad tailored to the conditions and challenges posed by the Australian hosts at Perth Stadium.
Perth’s Optus Stadium pitch is known for its pace and bounce, making fast bowling crucial. The curator aims to provide a balanced surface that offers fair competition between bat and ball, encouraging a thrilling contest. England’s pace-heavy squad and Wood’s fitness clearance significantly enhance their chances of capitalizing on the conditions in this fiercely anticipated first Ashes Test.
England’s 12 member squad for Perth Ashes Test:
Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir
