Wood presents early scare for tourists in Australia

England endured the most chilling of starts to their Ashes warm-up with a potential injury to Mark Wood meaning the key fast bowler started the second day of their solitary pre-series fixture in hospital rather than on the pitch.

- Simon Burnton

Wood reported “stiffness in his hamstring” at the end of his second four-over spell against the Lions at Lilac Hill and was due to undergo a precautionary scan this morning to assess the extent of any damage.

England’s plan had been for Wood to bowl eight overs across the opening day against the Lions, a number he reached in the hour after lunch. The 35-year-old immediately left the field and, though sources in the England camp initially put this down to thirst, when he failed to return after tea a more sobering update emerged.

This is Wood’s first game of any kind since England’s Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan in Lahore in February. He underwent surgery for medial ligament damage on his left knee - the same leg that is troubling him now - the following month.