Perth: England’s Ashes chances have received a major boost by the sight of speedster Mark Wood charging in at training in Perth following his hamstring scare.

After missing the whole English season with a knee problem, Wood complained of hamstring stiffness during the tourists’ sole Ashes warm-up game at Lilac Hill and was sent for scans.

His fitness status was up in the air at the same time Josh Hazlewood was withdrawn from Australia’s squad for Perth with a hamstring strain of his own.

But Wood’s return to the bowling crease was a source of smiles and happily raised eyebrows for the England squad in their first of three training sessions at Perth Stadium ahead of the opening Test on Friday.

Even if Wood is not chosen in the team for the first Test, his ability to bounce back quick

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