Wood is doubt for first Ashes Test

MARK Wood has emerged as a major doubt for England's first Ashes Test after suffering a hamstring injury on day one of their only pre-series warm-up match.

- By RORY DOLLARD

Mark Wood bowled only eight overs in the warm-up game in Australia and is a doubt for the first Ashes Test with a hamstring injury

An in-house outing against Andrew Flintoff’s England Lions at Lilac Hill might otherwise have been notable for fit-again captain Ben Stokes taking six for 52, proving his readiness to lead the fight against Australia, but Wood's fitness scare overshadowed proceedings.

The 35-year-old Durham paceman 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 first Test next Friday.