England have included pace bowler Mark Wood in a 12-player squad announced on Wednesday for the first Ashes test against Australia.

Wood, cleared of a hamstring injury last week, returns to test action after more than a year, having last played in August 2024. The 35-year-old, who was one of England's standout bowlers in the 2021-22 series when he claimed 17 wickets, will be part of a potent pace attack also featuring Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson and Ben Stokes.

Spinner Shoaib Bashir is also in the squad despite recent struggles, having recorded combined figures of 2-151 from 24 overs in a pre-Ashes warm-up match. Ollie Pope has secured the number three batting spot ahead of Jacob Bethell after his century and a 90 in the warm-up fixture against England Lions.

England have n

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