🔗 Share this article English Fast Bowler Mark Wood Expresses Quiet Confidence for Ashes Opener The bowler has not played a Test for over a year. England's fast bowler Mark Wood says he is "cautiously optimistic" about his fitness for the opening match of cricket's greatest rivalry in Australia. Wood has not played following a Champions Trophy loss against Afghanistan in February and underwent surgery on a left knee injury in March. That tournament and tour of India that preceded it marked his comeback after an elbow problem which sidelined him since August 2024. "The summer was disappointing," Wood stated. "I was unable to participate in any matches and my knee sometimes, when you think that you're just about ready, it wasn't fully recovered." "I faced setbacks on several occasions, but during the 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 begins November 21st at Perth, with England seeking victory in their first Test series on Australian soil since 2010-2011. "With luck, I'll be performing well, bowling well during warm-up matches and in net sessions, and can make my case for that game [Ashes opener]," Wood continued, who last played a Test was against Sri Lanka over a year back. "My recovery wasn't a smooth process, it had its ups and downs, but I'm in a good position now where i'm hoping to kick on toward the match." "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 Fitness Concerns Meanwhile, worries for Australia regarding the health of squad members has resulted in all-rounder Cameron Green being replaced by 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 July because of lumbar bone stress in his back. "Cameron Green has been ruled out for the India series having experienced low-grade side soreness during recent practice," Cricket Australia said. "He will undergo a brief rehab stint and is expected to be back to play in round three of the Sheffield Shield to continue his preparation for the Ashes." Round three of the Sheffield Shield tournament is scheduled to start October 28th.