Exclusive: England’s Ashes Hopes Boosted by Stokes-Wood Reunion After Injuries

England Test captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Mark Wood have been connected since their junior cricket days in Durham. 

The camaraderie has been a fillip to the nation's glories in the ODI World Cup in 2019 and the T20 World Cup in 2022.

Now, they are gearing up for the Ashes that have eluded England for a decade. Stokes will appear in his first Ashes series in Australia as skipper this November. 

Wood, who last played red-ball cricket in August 2024, will be raring to have a go after knee surgery in March 2025. Even Stokes is returning after a shoulder muscle tear ruled him out of the fifth Test against India in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in July.

They have historically recovered well from injuries, which underlines their fortitude and endurance. 

Stokes and Wood's 'team first' outlook

Stokes and Wood have been training at the Durham Cricket Academy. John Windows, the Director at the Academy who played a part in their development in the County, felt their willingness to work hard since the formative years set them apart, and that's why they have always bounced back stronger. 

"It was incredible to see Stokes against India. These guys are fierce competitors with massive resilience. They always had that desire to help the team. They had that team element and ethos. The northeast of England is strong in helping out teammates and the community."

"They still work hard. They have a massive ability. The high level of work makes a difference in the field. I think Stokes is now back to full training. I saw him at the gym the other day, and he was working incredibly hard. He said he was back to full training. Wood had a session last week, and they are both on track," he told SportBoom.com on Thursday.

Flashes of greatness from early years

Windows first discovered Stokes in a junior cricket match. "Stokes was playing as a 14-year-old from Cumbria against our 15s. He was young, aggressive and a medium pace all-rounder, and had taken a catch at third man running backwards, which was so impressive. He got himself in the wrong position, and the ball flew; he held on to it," he recalled.

Stokes was based in Cockermouth at that time. 

"He had to travel two hours to get to practice. Then he started to move up the grades. He was destined for greatness. He is an outstanding player and a character," said Windows, who has played cricket at minor county level for Northumberland, besides Durham’s Second XI.

Windows said that Woods was initially known as an all-rounder. 

"He joined after U-17 as a medium pace all-rounder with a nice outswing. It was not until the U-19 days that he started to bowl genuinely fast. And then, so fast that it was incredible." 

Knowing each other inside out gives senior players an edge on a high-stakes tour. "One would know if the other person needs an arm around. I think the familiarity builds confidence in each other. They both know what they are capable of. The understanding is not uncommon in the region they come from. Even Paul Collingwood and Steve Harmison moved up the grades together [in their days]," added Windows.

With 19 wickets in nine Tests in Australia, Stokes' bowling has often been used in short bursts, but it’s his batting that adds steel. He can dig in when conditions are hostile. Wood has 17 wickets in four outings at an economy of 3.73, unsettling batters with his raw pace and hostility. 

Together, their presence Down Under could be decisive in an Ashes summer where England craves firepower. The tournament starts on November 21 at Perth. It will be followed by matches at Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.