Mark Wood is likely to miss the second Ashes Test after missing England’s first training session in Brisbane.
Durham’s pace bowler remained at the team hotel to rest his left knee problem, while the rest of the squad returned to work with an optional session at Allan Border Field.
England have a further four days of training at the Gabba ahead of the day-night second Test, two of which will be under lights, but it is understood Wood is not currently scheduled to play in that match.
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Mark Wood explains how he’s done a lot of work behind the scenes to add movement to the ball at a natural pace
The 35-year-old missed the entire domestic season after undergoing surgery on the same knee in March, and also picked up pain in his hamstring during the pre-series lead-up to the England Lions.
He was eventually returned to good health after being sent for tests, but wore the heavy strap in Perth and finished with just 11 overs as the tourists suffered a two-day defeat. Although wicketless, he cleared 93mph in his first innings, hitting all-rounder Cameron Green on the helmet with a heavy bouncer before slowing down for a short stint during Australia’s chase.
He has previously made it clear he will not play in all five games Down Under, telling former England captain Michael Vaughan on FOX Sports:
England’s two spare seamers, Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts, are currently in Canberra preparing for the Lions’ clash with the Premier’s eleven. This will give them welcome time in midfield should they be called up, and the pair are expected to join up with the rest of the Test squad on Monday.
On Saturday, Tan went wicketless in 16 overs, while Potts got 2 for 40 from the same distribution as the Prime Minister’s eleven declared at 308 for 8. The England Lions scored a record 30 points in a two-day match.
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The best moments from the first day of the two-day match between the England Lions and the Prime Minister’s Eleven in Canberra, Australia. Credit: Cricket Australia.
Tan, who was the team’s top wicket-taker against India in the summer, will continue to be in pole position if a five-pronged pace attack is the preferred approach, but spinner Shoaib Bashir and all-rounder Will Jacks will also be left out if a different balance is chosen.
England’s first training session in Queensland ended early due to rain, but the players were able to spend some time face-to-face with pink kingfishers despite the daytime weather.
England desperate to avenge ‘shitty’ performance
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England captain Ben Stokes has urged his players not to dwell on their side’s eight-wicket loss to Australia in the opening Ashes in Perth.
Ben Stokes believes some of the criticism of the England team has gone too far, but would rather be called “rubbish” than “arrogant”.
Former Australian pace bowler Mitchell Johnson accused Stokes of “arrogance” in a strongly worded column for The West Australian newspaper, which previously branded him a “cocky captain grouch”.
Speaking ahead of the first of five practice sessions in Brisbane ahead of Thursday’s second day-night Test, Stokes challenged those questioning the team’s character.
“Arrogance may be a bit of a stretch, but that’s okay. We’re going to get through the difficulties smoothly,” he said.
“Call me whatever you want. I like the word ‘rubbish’, but I don’t really understand the word ‘arrogant’. I didn’t get the Test match I wanted, but in that match scene I was great.”
Ashes Series in Australia 2025-26
always UK and Ireland
1st test (Perth – 21st to 25th November): Australia defeats England by 8 wickets 2nd Test (day/night): Thursday 4th December to Monday 8th December (4am) – The Gabba, Brisbane 3rd Test : Wednesday 17 December – Sunday 21 December (11:30pm) – Adelaide Oval Fourth Test: Thursday 25 December – Monday 29 December (11:30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground 5th Test: Sunday 4 January to Thursday 8 January (11:30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground
