🔗 Share this article English Fast Bowler Mark Wood Expresses Reserved Optimism for The Ashes Series Opener Wood has been absent from Test cricket since August 2024. England's fast bowler Mark Wood says he is "quietly confident" about his fitness for the opening match of the Ashes series in Australia. The cricketer has been sidelined following a Champions Trophy loss against Afghanistan last winter and underwent surgery on a left knee injury in March. That tournament and India series that preceded it marked his comeback after an elbow problem that had kept him out for many months. "It was a frustrating summer," Wood explained. "I didn't get to play any cricket and my knee, at times, when you think I was nearly fit, it was not just quite there." "I faced setbacks on several occasions, but during the training camp progress has been positive. I've had the speed gun out and the pace is getting up there." The first match of the series begins November 21st at Perth, with England aiming to win their first Test series 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 over a year back. "The rehab hasn't just been a straight curve, it's been a bit up and down, but I'm in a good position now and hope to push forward 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 quietly confident." Australian Fitness Concerns At the same time, worries for Australia regarding the health of players has resulted in player Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series with India, beginning this weekend. Australia already have doubts about the fitness of skipper Pat Cummins, who's been absent since July due to a back injury in his back. "Cameron Green has been ruled out of the [India] series having experienced mild side discomfort during recent practice," Cricket Australia said. "He will undergo a short period of rehabilitation and is tracking to return for the third round of the Sheffield Shield to continue his preparation for the Ashes." The third round of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition is scheduled to start October 28th.