Ashes 2025-26: Mark Wood cleared to play as England announce 12-member squad for Perth Test

England have named their 12-member squad for the opening Test of the Ashes 2025-26 in Perth, with fast bowler Mark Wood cleared to play after recovering from a hamstring scare. The marquee series begins on November 21 at the Perth Stadium, with England keeping their options open as they consider a possible all-seam attack for the opener.

The Ashes return to Australia with England looking to end their long-standing drought Down Under. Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have leaned heavily into their aggressive ideology over the last two years, and the conditions in Perth provide them a chance to display their raw pace. Wood’s fitness had been a concern after he felt tightness in the warm-up match against the Lions last week, but scans and solid training sessions cleared him for selection.

Wood bowled briefly across England’s training sessions in Perth earlier this week and was involved in fielding drills and pitch inspections. His experience in Australia, with 17 wickets on the last tour, including a career-best 6 for 37 in Hobart, makes him a possible selection in the final XI.

Shoaib Bashir lone spinner in England’s squad

England’s sole spinner for the opener is Shoaib Bashir. The dryness on the Perth surface has raised questions, whether the traditionally fast pitch, but has also rewarded spin, with Nathan Lyon averaging under 21 at the venue. Bashir, despite an expensive outing against the Lions, remains in contention thanks to his high release and strong overspin. If England opt for all pace, Bashir will miss out, leaving Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, and Stokes to form the pace units England have fielded in an overseas Ashes Test.

On the other hand, Australia enters the opener with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Sean Abbott unavailable; as their pace attack heavily depends on Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and newcomer Brendan Doggett. The batting order remains unsettled, particularly the No.3 slot between Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green.

England squad for Perth Test

Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Mark Wood