Follow UsWith England’s desire to play in "fast, flat wickets", Mark Wood's absence is a bit unexpected. Even more so, considering their skipper, Ben Stokes, had said that “having the option to have someone who can bowl above 90mph is what any captain wants."
Due to injury, Wood has played only two first-class matches in the last 12 months, both of which coming in December ‘22 against Pakistan. With the tour comprising five Tests in less than seven weeks, Wood will play a key role at some point in this Ashes.
But, Stokes himself will be shouldering some responsibility with the ball. And that should come as a huge relief for Brendon McCullum. That he has gone ahead with the experience of James Anderson and Stuart Broad over Wood's x-factor is testimony to that.
Resting the express pacer for the first Test makes sense given that the second Test will happen at Lord’s, where the English pacers struggled to make breakthroughs against Ireland on what was an extremely plain surface.
While Broad publicly lambasted Anderson and his non-selection in last year’s reverse tour, he admitted that he was now comfortable with the possibility of not featuring in the XI during the first Test.
“Whether I play at Edgbaston, Lord's, or Headingley; I don't mind. I play really well at all of them,” he said.
The last time these two teams faced off in England, Broad had David Warner’s number as he got him out seven times in 10 innings. So, a return to England’s full strength XI will keep them in good stead ahead of the series.
Barring Wood’s absence, there are no other surprises in the XI. All-rounder Moeen Ali, who recently came out of his retirement to participate in the Ashes, has been included in the playing XI at his home ground, Edgbaston.
England XI: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jonny Bairstow (WK), Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson.