England may face an extended period without the services of fast bowler Mark Wood due to injury, despite their strong performance in the Ashes. England’s captain Joe Root showcased his prowess with an unbeaten century, propelling his team to a commanding position on day one of the second Test match in Australia.
Root’s exceptional innings, scoring 135 not out, guided England to a total of 325-9, with contributions from Zak Crawley (76) and Jofra Archer (32 not out). Although Australia had their moments, the day ultimately belonged to Ben Stokes’ squad.
However, concerns arose off the field regarding Wood’s knee injury. Initially ruled out for the second Test, Wood may also miss the upcoming match in Adelaide as he provided an update on his condition. The 35-year-old expressed uncertainty about his return, mentioning the possibility of returning to action in Melbourne or Sydney after Christmas.
Wood, who faced a series of injuries throughout his career, including a recent elbow problem, remains cautious about his recovery timeline. His absence in Brisbane led to spinner Will Jacks replacing him in the lineup.
Former England captain Michael Atherton highlighted Wood’s significance and the setback his injury poses for England’s Ashes campaign. Despite Wood’s absence, the team altered their strategy in Brisbane by including a spin option in the lineup for added depth.
Australia’s left-arm bowler Mitchell Starc shone with figures of 6-71, showcasing his prowess with the pink ball. The ongoing Ashes series promises more thrilling action, with live coverage available on TNT Sports via discovery+ or Prime Video’s TNT Sports channel.