Mark Wood included as England confirm playing XII for 1st Ashes Test vs Australia

England reveal playing 12 for 1st Ashes Test [Source: AFP Photo]

In the latest development, England has revealed their playing 12 for the first Ashes Test match vs Australia. Interestingly, Mark Wood, who has been nursing an injury, was named as the 12th player as England are hopeful of his inclusion in the main XI. The core of the squad remains the same as Ben Stokes will lead the team, and the Three Lions have included just a lone spinner in Shoaib Bashir.

Wood returned from a hamstring scare as he put in hard yards in the nets before the Test match. His leg was strapped on Tuesday, and England are hopeful that they can field an aggressive bowling combination of Mark Wood and Jofra Archer against a struggling Australian batting unit.

England's playing 12 for 1st Ashes Test

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

More to follow