10-second clip should terrify every Australian ahead of the first Test

Footage on Tuesday has quickly spread across social media that should send a shiver down the spine of every single Australian.

This is the last thing any Aussie cricket fan wanted to see a handful of days out from the opening Test of the Ashes series.

As both squads ramp up their preparations for the opener in Perth, England quick Mark Wood has sent a shiver down the spine of every Aussie.

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Wood left the field early during England’s warm-up contest last week after experiencing tightness in his hamstring.

The news wasn’t what the tourists had hoped for, but the 35-year-old was ultimately cleared of any serious damage.

On Tuesday he further pressed his case for selection as he sent down thunderbolts in the nets at England batters.

Footage of Wood peppering the English batsmen quickly spread across social media with one ball slamming into the back of the nets at a rate of knots.

Journalist Bharat Sundaresan posted on X after watching the session unfold: “Mark Wood is steaming in & bowling very quick this morning in Perth, even if his entire left leg is strapped up.”

England skipper Ben Stokes later in the session stepped in front of the stumps as a make shift umpire to get a better look at Wood’s in action.

The encouraging signs will only boost England’s hopes of claiming their first Ashes series victory on Australian soil since 2010/11.

Wood helped turn the tide in the last Ashes series after Australia won the opening two Tests in England.

The quick, who regularly bowls around the 145km/h mark, was left out of the XI for the first two Tests before being thrust into the team for the third Test in Leeds.

He made an instant impact with his rapid pace unsettling the Aussie batting order as he claimed player of the match honours after taking 5/34 in the first innings and 2/66 in the second with England winning the Test by three wickets.

Wood was steaming in during the nets session. (Photo by COLIN MURTY / AFP)

The England quick appears ready for the opening Test. (Photo by COLIN MURTY / AFP)

While the footage of Wood will put the Aussies on notice, England were sent an equally terrifying message with Pat Cummins closing in on his return.

The Aussie skipper, who has already been ruled out of the opening Test after suffering a back injury, took part in an hour-long nets session on Monday.

It’s a positive sign the Australian skipper could be back sooner rather than later, with Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and debutant Brendan Doggett set to spearhead the hosts’ fast-bowling attack in Perth with Josh Hazlewood also sidelined.

SEN’s Bharat Sundaresan was encouraged by Cummins’ nets session.

“What will warm the Australian fans’ hearts is that Pat Cummins has just been in the middle of a lengthy spell, and he’s bowling at full tilt,” Sundaresan said on Sportsday on Monday evening.

“He seems to touch wood, be having no real issues. He did talk about how he thinks he might even be in line to come back into the side in Brisbane.

“He got through his spell, and this is Australia’s first net session of the Ashes, so some positive signs for sure.”

The first Test will get underway on Friday from Perth Stadium with the first ball to be bowled at 1:30pm (AEDT).

Originally published as 10-second clip should terrify every Australian ahead of the first Test