🔗 Share this article English Paceman Mark Wood Reveals Quiet Confidence for Ashes First Test The bowler has been absent from Test cricket since August 2024. The English fast bowler Mark Wood says he is "cautiously optimistic" of being fit for the opening match of the Ashes series in Australia. Wood has not played following a Champions Trophy loss against Afghanistan in February and underwent surgery on a left knee injury this spring. The Champions Trophy and tour of India which came before marked his comeback from an elbow injury which sidelined him since August 2024. "The summer was disappointing," Wood stated. "I didn't get to play any cricket and my knee sometimes, when you think I was nearly fit, it wasn't fully recovered." "I got knocked back on several occasions, but during the training camp progress has been positive. We've used the radar gun and my speed is increasing." The first match of the Ashes begins November 21st at Perth, with England aiming to win their initial series win on Australian soil since 2010-2011. "With luck, I'll be performing well, delivering effectively in the practice games and in net sessions, and can put my hand up for the first Test," added Wood, whose last Test outing versus Sri Lanka 14 months ago. "The rehab hasn't just been a straight curve, it had its ups and downs, but now I'm in a better place and hope to push forward toward the match." "I avoid making statements claiming, 'I'm fully ready, I'm set'. I feel assured currently and more optimistic, so I'm quietly confident." Australian Fitness Concerns At the same time, worries for Australia regarding the health of players have led to all-rounder Cameron Green being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series against India, which starts on Sunday. The Aussies also have doubts about the fitness of captain Pat Cummins, who's been absent since July because of lumbar bone stress affecting his spine. "Green is unavailable of the [India] series after suffering mild side discomfort at training this week," the cricket board stated. "He will undergo a brief rehab stint and is tracking to return to play in round three of domestic cricket to continue his preparation for the series." The third round of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition begins on 28 October.