India, Nov. 19 -- England have breathed a small but significant sigh of relief before the Ashes opener in Perth. Mark Wood, their fastest bowler and a central piece of their away-Ashes gamble, has been passed fit and named in a 12-man squad for the first Test against Australia at Optus Stadium from 21 November.

Wood had sent a minor scare through the camp during the warm-up game against the England Lions, where he bowled eight overs and then left the field for precautionary scans after feeling stiffness in his left hamstring. He did not return in that game, but subsequent assessment has cleared him to be in contention for the XI in conditions expected to reward high pace and hard lengths.

Everything about England's 12 tells you they are...