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New Delhi: England pacer Mark Wood has resumed bowling at pace in practice while Australia all-rounder Cameron Green is ready to return to bowling in the Ashes opener that begins in Perth on Friday.
Last week, Wood withdrew from a trial match against an English team with a hamstring strain as he looked to return to action from a knee surgery in March.
He has been cleared to bowl in nets after medical scans and he bowled for around 30 minutes on Tuesday's in England's first practice at the fist Test venue of Perth Stadium.
The 35-year-old Wood and fellow quick Jofra Archer are available for selection for England on a track where quality pace attacks have had success in the past.
“He was quick enough, I can tell you that from facing him. He's bowling very good pace, and it's obviously great preparation for what we've got in store here,” England wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith said on Tuesday.
“I feel our bowling group have a good chance of getting 20 wickets in the game,” Josh Tongue, one of England's seamers vying for a place in the playing team, said after training.
Australia's new-ball attack is depleted in absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood and having Green back to bowl for the first time since March 2024 could help to settle their combination.
Green underwent a back surgery in the middle of last year and hasn't played a Test for over a year, and returned to international cricket in June only as a batter.
Last week he bowled 16 overs across two innings in a domestic first-class match for Western Australia against Queensland and said there is no restriction on him to bowl.
“It's been a really slow build-up. Probably would prefer a few more competitive overs But at the same time, it's a double-edged sword, you (get to) come into a series so fresh,” Green said.
“When you get into test cricket, there's no need for restrictions. I'd be happy to put my hand up whenever.”
