🔗 Share this article English Paceman Mark Wood Reveals Reserved Optimism for The Ashes Series Opener The bowler has been absent from Test cricket for over a year. The English pace spearhead Mark Wood has stated he feels "quietly confident" about his fitness for the first Test of the Ashes series in Australia. Wood has not played since a Champions Trophy defeat against Afghanistan in February and underwent surgery for a knee issue this spring. That tournament and tour of India which came before marked his comeback after an elbow problem which sidelined him since August 2024. "It was a frustrating summer," Wood stated. "I didn't get to play any cricket and my knee, at times, when it seemed that you're just about ready, it wasn't fully recovered." "I faced setbacks on several occasions, but in the tent [training camp] it's been going well. I've had the speed gun out and the pace is getting up there." The first match of the series starts on 21 November at Perth, with England seeking victory in their first Test series on Australian soil since 2010-2011. "With luck, I'll be performing well, delivering effectively during warm-up matches and in net sessions, and can make my case for that game [Ashes opener]," added Wood, whose last Test outing versus Sri Lanka over a year back. "My recovery wasn't a straight curve, it had its ups and downs, but now I'm in a better place where i'm hoping to kick on for that game." "I avoid making statements claiming, 'I'm fully ready, I'm ready'. I'm in a confident place at the minute and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm cautiously hopeful." Australia's Injury Worries Meanwhile, worries for Australia over the fitness of players has resulted in player Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series against India, beginning this weekend. The Aussies also have concerns over the condition of skipper Pat Cummins, who's been absent since mid-year due to a back injury in his back. "Cameron Green has been ruled out of the [India] series having experienced low-grade side soreness at training this week," Cricket Australia said. "Green will complete a brief rehab stint and is expected to be back for the third round of the Sheffield Shield to further prepare for the Ashes." The third round of the Sheffield Shield tournament begins October 28th.