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England's Wood escapes injury scare as Australia's Hazlewood withdraws
A sunny Saturday in Perth delivered unexpected Ashes drama as England's Mark Wood was cleared of a hamstring injury-only for Australia's Josh Hazlewood to be ruled out of the first Test with the same issue, leaving the hosts without two of their premier pacers.
Australia's depleted attack raises England's hopes
Hazlewood's absence, confirmed 86 minutes after Wood's all-clear, compounds Australia's woes, with captain Pat Cummins already sidelined. The pair's combined loss marks the first time in 13 years Australia will play a home Test without both-yet their 2021-22 Ashes victory (4-0) came despite missing Hazlewood for four matches and Cummins for one.
Still, this Australian side, older and less settled, faces tougher questions. With Cummins targeting a return for the second Test, England now confront a rare opening: a vulnerable host team in unfamiliar territory. Yet history looms-Australia haven't lost at home since 2011, and their floodlit dominance (led by pink-ball specialist Mitchell Starc) adds pressure to England's need for an early series lead.
England's gambit: Risk Wood or hold back?
Wood's fitness remains a calculated risk. His first red-ball outing in 15 months ended with a hospital visit, but England's likely five-seamer strategy could shield him. Delaying his return might backfire later, when spinner demands reduce pace options. The debate over England's warm-up-a low-key three-day match against the Lions-hinges on outcomes: Lilac Hill's flat pitch and sparse crowd offered little Test-like intensity, but Ollie Pope (100 and 90) and Jofra Archer (sharp form) seized the moment.
Pope's resurgence, backed by captain Ben Stokes and coach Marcus Trescothick, contrasts with Harry Brook's lackluster warm-up. Meanwhile, spinners Shoaib Bashir (24 overs, 151 runs) and Will Jacks lag behind, though Jacks' late wicket of Joe Root may earn him the No. 8 spot.
Starc and Archer: The X-factors
Mitchell Starc's pink-ball prowess makes the second Test a daunting prospect for England, but Jofra Archer's physical dominance-muscular frame and hostile pace-hints at a potential series-defining role. His dismissive attitude toward warm-up golf ("No, pool") underscores his focus, while Stokes' own return (16 overs bowled, 84 runs scored) signals readiness after a shoulder injury.
Lions' future stars, England's immediate chance
Beyond the Ashes squad, Lions batters Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox (half-centuries in both innings), and 17-year-old Thomas Rew (50) impressed, but England's window is now. Perth's Optus Stadium awaits-a stage where 60,000 fans and a "spicy" pitch will test their mettle. As Stokes' side eyes their first Australian Ashes win since 2010-11, the message is clear: seize the moment or face another 14 years of waiting.
