🔗 Share this article English Fast Bowler Mark Wood Expresses Reserved Optimism for Ashes Opener The bowler has been absent from Test cricket for over a year. The English pace spearhead Mark Wood says he is "quietly confident" about his fitness for the first Test of cricket's greatest rivalry down under. Wood has not played since a Champions Trophy defeat against Afghanistan last winter and had an operation on a left knee injury in March. That tournament and India series that preceded it was the 35-year-old's return after an elbow problem which sidelined him since August 2024. "The summer was disappointing," 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 got knocked back a couple of times, but during the training camp it's been going well. We've used the radar gun and my speed is increasing." The first match of the series starts on 21 November at Perth, with England aiming to win their initial series win on Australian soil in over a decade. "Hopefully, I'm in form, bowling well in the practice games and in the nets, and can make my case for the first Test," added Wood, whose last Test outing versus Sri Lanka over a year back. "My recovery wasn't a smooth process, it's been a bit up and down, but now I'm in a better place where i'm hoping to kick on for that game." "I avoid making statements where I say, 'I'm fully ready, I'm set'. I'm in a confident place currently and more optimistic, so I'm cautiously hopeful." Australia's Fitness Concerns Meanwhile, worries for Australia regarding the health of squad members have led to player Cameron Green being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series with India, which starts on Sunday. The Aussies also have concerns over the condition of captain Pat Cummins, who has not played since July because of lumbar bone stress 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. "Green will complete a brief rehab stint and is tracking to return to play in round three of domestic cricket to further prepare for the Ashes." The third round of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition begins on 28 October.