The Ashes: England's Mark Wood fit for first Test as Josh Hazlewood ruled out for Australia

England fast bowler Mark Wood has been cleared of a hamstring injury ahead of The Ashes but Australia seamer Josh Hazlewood is out of the first Test in Perth from November 21.

Wood experienced stiffness on Thursday after bowling eight overs on the first day of the tourists' sole warm-up game against England Lions after almost nine months out following knee surgery.

However, an England and Wales Cricket Board statement released on Saturday read: "Following precautionary scans on Friday, England fast bowler Mark Wood has been cleared of any concerns regarding his left hamstring."

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Wood did not bowl on the final day of the tune-up fixture at Lilac Hill but will train as planned ahead of the Ashes opener at Optus Stadium from Friday.

Team-mate and fellow seamer Brydon Carse said: "Woody found out last night that it's nothing serious, it's great news.

"For any player waiting on the result of a scan, it can be a little bit niggly but he was fairly confident that it was going to be nothing serious. He's all up and about and full of energy at the moment.

"He's got a huge amount of resilience. He's going to have a couple of days off and then a good bit of training leading up to that first Test."

'Phenomenal' Hazlewood out as Neser added to Australia squad

There was bad news for Australia, though, with Hazlewood [hamstring] joining captain Pat Cummins [back] in missing the first Test.

Hazlewood suffered his injury playing for New South Wales against Victoria in the Sheffield Shield this week.

The 34-year-old was initially cleared of a serious problem but further assessments have shown a muscle tear, with Michael Neser added to the squad as cover.

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A statement from Cricket Australia said: "Josh Hazlewood underwent repeat imaging that has confirmed a hamstring strain injury.

"Initial scans Wednesday were clear of muscle strain however follow-up imaging has confirmed the injury. Early imaging can occasionally underestimate low-grade muscle injuries."

Carse said of Hazlewood: "He's obviously a massive bowler for Australia and certainly someone I've admired throughout my career with the performances and his importance to Australian cricket.

"He's been someone to look up to. He's a phenomenal bowler and I'm sure we'll see some part of him throughout the series."

The uncapped Brendan Doggett is Hazlewood's most likely replacement in the Australia XI, with Scott Boland already pretty much inked in to deputise for Cummins.

Boland has taken 49 wickets at an average of 12.63 across nine Tests in Australia, including remarkable figures of 6-7 versus England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in December 2021.

Cummins is aiming to be fit for the second Test, a day-nighter in Brisbane, from December 4.

England to select all-pace attack in Perth?

The Wood update is a big boost for England with the Durham quick one of a number of seamers in the squad capable of bowling 90mph-plus as Ben Stokes' side look to hit Australia with pace.

There is a high chance that the tourists play an all-seam frontline attack in Perth comprised of Wood, Stokes, Carse, Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson.

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Should England err on the side of caution and rest Wood, fellow quick Josh Tongue could come into the XI.

Shoaib Bashir is the chief spinner in the squad with Will Jacks the back-up.

In the event of an all-pace frontline attack, Joe Root would provide the part-time spin.

Will England risk Wood in Perth?

Sky Sports Cricket's Michael Atherton:

"Whether England will risk Wood for Perth is a question that will have to be answered as he has had hardly any cricket. There is definite risk there.

"Ideally, England were hoping to hit Australia hard with Archer and Wood right at the start as the first two Tests, at Perth and Brisbane, are on the fastest pitches. The fast bowlers will really dictate terms there and decide the game.

"England picked Archer and Wood against the Lions and that was a clear signal of the way they wanted to go but they will have to see how Wood is over the next few days.

"Today is a big boost for England in two ways, though, with Wood seemingly okay and Hazlewood out for Australia. With Cummins also missing for Australia you are taking out over 600 Test wickets between them.

"It is a massive blow for Australia. They have a good back-up for Cummins in Boland but with no Hazlewood as well they are going to have to go to either Doggett or Neser, with Sean Abbott also injured.

"It was always likely to be that way given the age profile of Australia's squad - bowlers all in their mid-30s."

Ashes series in Australia 2025-26

All times UK and Ireland

• First Test: Friday November 21 - Tuesday November 25 (2.30am) - Optus Stadium, Perth
• Second Test (day/night): Thursday December 4 - Monday December 8 (4.30am) - The Gabba, Brisbane
• Third Test: Wednesday December 17 - Sunday December 21 (12am) - Adelaide Oval
• Fourth Test: Thursday December 25 - Monday December 29 (11.30pm) - Melbourne Cricket Ground
• Fifth Test: Sunday January 4 - Thursday January 8 (11.30pm) - Sydney Cricket Ground