TOUCH WOOD

Stokes sweats over pace ace's fitness

- FROM RORY DOLLARD IN PERTH

BEN STOKES' return to his bowling best was overshadowed after Mark Wood was injured in England's only Ashes warm-up, making him a doubt for next week's first Test in Perth.

An outing against Andrew Flintoff’s England Lions at Lilac Hill might otherwise have been notable for fit-again captain Stokes, taking 6-52 until Wood had to leave the action.

The 35-year-old has spent the last nine months on the sidelines following knee surgery but hopes were high that the country’s quickest bowler would be able to get up to speed in time to feature in the opener.

Instead, Wood pulled up sore after his second four-over spell and is now awaiting further assessment.

A spokesperson for the England and Wales Cricket Board said: “He has some stiffness in his hamstring and will undergo a precautionary scan. He is expected to bowl again in two days’ time.”