England’s star quick Mark Wood remains in doubt for the first Ashes Test after breaking down on the opening day of the tour game against English Lions.
Wood left the field halfway through day one at Lilac Hill Park after bowling eight overs, with England revealing he was struggling with hamstring stiffness.
He was set for scans on his left leg on Friday, with even a minor strain set to exclude him from the Perth Test starting in a week’s time.
Results are expected today.
It leaves huge question marks over England’s ability to claim 20 wickets against Australia after their front-line pacers were all plundered on a flat deck at Lilac Hill.
England rolled out Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue and Ben Stokes on Thursday, with only skipper Stokes showing any sort of form.
He claimed six wickets as the rest of the quicks were hit for 382 in only a day’s play.
There are also injury clouds over Archer after his limited preparations were heavily criticised.
Despite arriving in Perth a week earlier than the bulk of the touring party, he wasn’t sighted at any training session until the full team landed, despite Stokes putting in sweat sessions alongside batting and bowling.
England’s batters resumed action on Friday with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, who will open against Australia next week, at the crease.