England chop Wood in hunt for winning Ashes formula

England have rested one of their most impressive performers from the Vodafone Ashes opener, omitting Mark Wood in a move that could open the door for the return of legendary duo Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad.

Anderson's return at his favourite venue outside the UK appears likely after England elected to put the injury-prone Wood on ice for the Adelaide day-night Test.

A spot for Broad in England's final XI, which will not be confirmed until Thursday afternoon's coin toss, had appeared less certain but Wood's omission could now see him return as well.

Both Anderson and Broad were omitted for the series opener at the Gabba, the first Ashes Test in 15 years where neither has featured on England's team sheet, in seam-friendly conditions the pair have typically thrived in.

Chris Woakes, who appeared the least threatening of the England pace brigade in Brisbane, has held his place in a 12-man squad for the second Test, as has Jack Leach after being pummelled for 103 runs from 13 overs in Brisbane.

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England XII: Joe Root (c), James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler (wk), Haseeb Hameed, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes

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Wood is England's fastest paceman, bowling with admirable stamina during England's bruising nine-wicket defeat in Brisbane.

His pace was undoubtedly a major factor in his dismissal of Steve Smith for just 12 in Australia's first innings – a major achievement given Smith came into the Ashes averaging over 100 over the past three series against England.

But Wood has had extensive struggles with staying fit over the course of a full Test series, and his speed will be even more important for upcoming Tests on the traditionally flatter wickets in Melbourne and Sydney.

Anderson refused to confirm whether either he or Broad were confirmed starters for the second Test, but England's all-time leading wicket taker was a handful under lights during the corresponding fixture in 2017-18.

His only five-wicket haul in Australia came during the Adelaide day-night Test on that tour, with the right-armer close to unplayable when the pink ball was swinging at night.

If he gets the nod, this will be Anderson's fifth Test at the venue having first played there during the heart-crushing 2006-07 'Amazing Adelaide' Test.

"I think it's my favourite ground outside the UK," Anderson told reporters on Wednesday. "It's changed since I first played here.

"I've always enjoyed it whether it's in the one-day side or the Test side. The atmosphere is great, people love their cricket in Adelaide and the stuff they've done to the ground is fantastic.

"It's now an amazing stadium, all the guys love playing here and I'm hopeful of putting in a good performance of edging that into more good games rather than bad."

Now 39, Anderson has been carefully managed by England over recent years in a bid to get the best out of their veteran quick, but he is now eager to play the rest of this series.

"I came here wanting to be available for five (Tests) – that doesn't change now, I want to be available for the next four," said Anderson.

"I think with the gaps between the next few games it might be a bit easier to get the rest in between and make sure everyone's fresh.

"That's something out of my control  - I've just got to do my best if I get picked tomorrow."

Vodafone Men's Ashes

Squads

Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith (vc), Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

England: Joe Root (c), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

Schedule

First Test: Australia won by nine wickets

Second Test: December 16-20, Adelaide Oval

Third Test: December 26-30, MCG

Fourth Test: January 5-9, SCG

Fifth Test: January 14-18, Blundstone Arena