Speaking before the news of Wood’s injury, former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie said he was “concerned about the strength” of the England attack.
“Do they have enough work in the bank to stay fit and strong and be able to bowl at a consistent pace throughout the match and then back it up in the subsequent matches?” Gillespie told Stumped on the BBC World Service.
“That’s a big question mark for me.”
Wood’s absence will be sorely felt for England in a day-night situation at the Gabba – a ground where they have not won since 1986.
England have a poor record in floodlit Tests, having won only two of their last seven, including three defeats in Australia.
Australia have won 13 of their 14 day-night matches and have the world’s best pink-ball bowler in Mitchell Starc.
The pink ball does not behave differently from its red counterpart, but it may be harder to see under lighting.
Part of Starc’s success in pink-ball matches is his bowling deliveries in excess of 87 mph and Wood, England’s fastest option, took nine wickets when he last played a day-night Test against Australia in Hobart in 2022.
Speaking on the For the Love of Cricket podcast, former England seamer Stuart Broad said: “There’s something about the pink ball, you can’t pick it up properly. You don’t even get a clue, so the seam is black against the pink background, whereas with the red ball and white seam you can see Mitchell Starc’s in-swinger coming back into the stumps or going around.
“It’s just light that’s reflecting off the pink ball, so it’s almost like a big planet is flying toward you.
“That means you’re just estimating it from surface movement or reading the speed of the ball, but it’s very difficult to do that at these speeds.”
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