England's Fast Bowler Mark Wood Reveals Reserved Optimism for The Ashes Series First Test
Wood has been absent from Test cricket for over a year.
England's fast bowler Mark Wood says he is "quietly confident" of being fit for the opening match of cricket's greatest rivalry down under.
The cricketer has been sidelined since a Champions Trophy defeat by Afghanistan in February and had an operation for a knee issue this spring.
That tournament and India series which came before marked his comeback after an elbow problem which sidelined him since August 2024.
"The summer was disappointing," Wood stated. "I didn't get to play any matches and my knee sometimes, when you think that you're just about ready, it wasn't fully recovered."
"I got knocked back on several occasions, but in the tent [training camp] progress has been positive. We've used the radar gun and the pace is getting up there."
The first match of the Ashes starts on 21 November at Perth, with England seeking victory in their first Test series in Australia in over a decade.
"Hopefully, I'm in form, delivering effectively during warm-up matches and in the nets, and can make my case for the first Test," Wood continued, who last played a Test was against Sri Lanka over a year back.
"My recovery wasn't a smooth process, it's been a bit up and down, but I'm in a good position now where i'm hoping to kick on toward the match."
"I avoid making statements claiming, 'Yes, I'm pumped, I'm set'. I feel assured at the minute and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm cautiously hopeful."
Australia's Fitness Concerns
Meanwhile, worries for Australia over the fitness of players has resulted in all-rounder Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the three-match one-day series with India, beginning this weekend.
The Aussies also have doubts about the fitness of captain Pat Cummins, who's been absent since mid-year due to a back injury affecting his spine.
"Cameron Green has been ruled out for the India series having experienced low-grade side soreness at training this week," Cricket Australia said.
"He will undergo a brief rehab stint and is tracking to return to play in round three of the Sheffield Shield to further prepare for the series."
Round three of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition begins on 28 October.
