🚀 Read this must-read post from BBC Sport 📖
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💡 Main takeaway:
It’s a big boost for Wood, one of the fastest bowlers to ever play for England, albeit in a 37-Test career blighted by injuries.
He has not played a Test since August 2024, first due to an elbow problem, then a knee injury.
Despite the long absence, England were keen to have Wood in the XI for the first Test, alongside Jofra Archer, to quickly knock Australia out on what is expected to be a lively surface at Optus Stadium.
The tourists hinted at their plans for the Ashes opener by naming five bowlers, including Wood and Archer, and not having a front-line spinner in their XI for the tour match against the Lions.
Now England will have to consider Wood’s inclusion in their squad for the first Test, and how it will affect the balance of their attack if he is not risked. Josh Tong could likewise be included as a substitute, or England could turn to a spin option in Shoaib Bashir or Willjack.
If Wood does not play in the first Test, there is an option to build his fitness into the Lions’ fixtures.
The Lions meet a Cricket Australia XI at Lilac Hill at the same time as the first Test, then move on to a two-day pink-ball match against a Premier’s XI in Canberra.
Meanwhile, leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has been ruled out of the rest of the Lions’ tour due to a leg injury.
Ahmed missed out on selection for the Ashes team when England preferred Jack to be the second baseman.
The 21-year-old will return to the UK but is expected to be fit to play for Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League from next month.
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