England’s push for an Ashes revival is underway after a bruising start to the series in Perth, where a dramatic second-day collapse left the tourists reeling and Australia 1-0 up. Fast bowler Mark Wood, speaking candidly after the defeat, revealed just how shaken the squad was and how much the early setback has sharpened their resolve ahead of the second Test in Brisbane.
Wood admitted the team was left “shellshocked” following the abrupt end to the first Test, where England squandered a strong position after bowling Australia out for just 132. A collapse of four wickets for 11 runs on day two flipped the match on its head, triggering anger among travelling fans and mockery from the Australian press. Inside the dressing room, the mood was equally grim, with players sitting quietly, reflecting on what went wrong.
The 35-year-old pacer, who has a long-known fear of flying, even joked about driving the 4,000km distance from Perth to Brisbane to fill the unexpected 12-day gap created by the early finish. After speaking to locals, he realised the sheer scale and danger of such a journey, but admitted the thought had crossed his mind in the aftermath of the defeat.
Despite the disappointment, Wood believes there are positives to build on. England’s fast-bowling attack – the quickest the country has fielded since ball-tracking began in 2006 – troubled Australia on day one, striking Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green with hostile pace. Wood insists the team has enough firepower to claim 20 wickets consistently, especially with the next match being a day-night Test where their seamers could thrive under lights.
England’s management is yet to decide whether top-order batters will feature in the upcoming tour match against the Prime Minister’s XI, but Wood, recently back from knee surgery, is expected to be rested. The coaching staff has urged open conversations within the squad, balancing honest reflection with the need to move forward.
Wood stressed that the Ashes is a five-Test battle and one heavy defeat does not define the series. While Australia will carry confidence into Brisbane, England are determined to fight back, learn from their mistakes, and respond with intensity.
With time to regroup and a pace attack capable of unsettling any batting lineup, England now face the challenge of turning early disappointment into a meaningful resurgence.
