Mark Wood strikes twice in Ashes tune-up

Mark Wood will need to improve on his recent output if the paceman is to convince England coach Trevor Bayliss he should play in the current Ashes series.

Mark Wood of England.

Mark Wood had a six-over spell for England A against Cricket Australia X1 at Perth. (AAP)

Mark Wood's first attempt to burst his way into England's Test XI with express pace was met with mixed reviews at Perth's Richardson Park.

Wood was left out of the tourists' Ashes squad after a year full of injury setbacks but is currently in Australia as part of England's A team.

There is speculation the right-armer and member of England's home Ashes triumph in 2015 could be parachuted into the current series as early as the third Test that starts in Perth on Thursday.

Australia's pacemen Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins have all gone close to nudging the 150 km/h in the current contest that the hosts lead 2-0.

In contrast, England's quicks have largely struggled to break the 140 km/h barrier. Wood is very much capable of doing that but questions remain over his control and match fitness.

The 27-year-old delivered six overs on Saturday night during England's tour game against a Cricket Australia XI but failed to create a single chance.

"He got the ball through OK. To be honest he probably didn't really threaten to take a wicket. There were one or two appeals," coach Trevor Bayliss said after day one.

Wood struck twice in a four-over spell on Sunday morning, removing two of the hosts' most experienced batsmen with his bouncer.

Travis Dean chopped a rearing delivery onto his stumps, while Jake Doran was out pulling during Wood's only spell of the day's first session.

Dean, who added five runs to his overnight score of 29, was glowing in his praise of Wood.

"He comes off the short run but he's a quality bowler. He swings the ball away, he's got good ball speed, he tests you out on the short ball," Dean said on Saturday night.

"He's a very good challenge.

"I was trying to get away from his bouncer as much as he could."


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Source: AAP



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