WOOD ‘NEAR ENOUGH FULL TILT’

THE Perth pitch has been dubbed a “green monster”, but will Mark Wood be ready to tame it?

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While England have plenty of seam options at their disposal in the hours leading up to the start of the series on Friday, Wood's express pace marks him out as unique.

If he is passed fit it would be a huge boost, particularly given the withdrawals of Australia quicks Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood,

Wood has not played competitively since undergoing knee surgery in March and saw his hopes of playing in the series opener thrown into doubt after playing a reduced role in last week's tour game against England Lions.

But scans on a stiff left hamstring showed no cause for concern and there is renewed optimism that the quickest bowler in England could be ready for what is expected to be a fast and furious surface.