As England prepares to face Australia in the opening Ashes Test on November 21, bowler Mark Wood has expressed confidence in his team despite the harsh criticism aimed at captain Ben Stokes by the Australian media. While newspapers have mocked England’s Bazball approach as “dopey” and targeted Stokes with a series of front-page jabs, Wood has chosen to focus on the positives.
Speaking ahead of the series, Wood said he has largely ignored the negative headlines, noting instead the warm welcome the team has received from fans. “The reception we’ve had from Australians has been great. Around the hotel and throughout Perth, everyone’s been very friendly, and there’s a lot of excitement for the series,” he said. He also highlighted the support from travelling English fans, adding, “I think the Barmy Army will be in full voice and right behind us.”
Wood acknowledged that Australia are strong favourites, particularly on home soil, and emphasized the importance of starting well. “They’re very hard to beat in their own conditions. Historically, we haven’t won many games here, so the first Test is huge. As any bowling group knows, taking the first couple of wickets is vitally important. If we can start well, we can put pressure on Australia,” he said.
Despite acknowledging the challenge, Wood stressed that there is a quiet confidence within the England squad. “Australia are obviously the favourites, but there’s a quiet confidence in our group that we can do well here,” he said, reflecting the team’s belief in their preparation and skill.
In the lead-up to the series, England have worked to simulate Australian conditions at home. “It’s not as hot in England, but we used heaters in the training tent to mimic the conditions as best we could. It’s not perfect, but it helped us prepare so we could get up and running more quickly when we arrived,” Wood explained.
With a mix of experience, preparation, and determination, England are hoping to turn the odds in their favour and challenge Australia on their home turf, backed by both local support and the travelling Barmy Army.
