🔗 Share this article England's Paceman Mark Wood Expresses Reserved Optimism for The Ashes Series Opener The bowler has been absent from Test cricket since August 2024. The English fast bowler Mark Wood says he is "quietly confident" about his fitness for the opening match of cricket's greatest rivalry in Australia. Wood has not played since a Champions Trophy defeat by Afghanistan last winter and underwent surgery on a left knee injury this spring. That tournament and tour of India which came before was the 35-year-old's return after an elbow problem which sidelined him for many months. "It was a frustrating summer," Wood stated. "I was unable to participate in any cricket and my knee sometimes, when you think that you're just about ready, it was not just quite there." "I got knocked back a couple of times, but in the tent [training camp] progress has been positive. We've used the radar gun and my speed is increasing." The opener of the Ashes starts on 21 November in Perth, with England seeking victory in their initial series win on Australian soil in over a decade. "Hopefully, I'm in form, bowling well during warm-up matches and in the nets, and can put my hand up for the first Test," added Wood, who last played a Test was against Sri Lanka over a year back. "My recovery wasn't a straight curve, 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 never want to give an answer claiming, 'I'm fully ready, I'm ready'. I'm in a confident place currently and more optimistic, so I'm cautiously hopeful." Australian Fitness Concerns Meanwhile, Australia's concerns over the fitness of players have led to player Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series against India, beginning this weekend. Australia already have doubts about the fitness of captain Pat Cummins, who's been absent since July due to a back injury in his back. "Green is unavailable of the [India] series after suffering mild side discomfort during recent practice," the cricket board stated. "He will undergo a short period of rehabilitation and is expected to be back for the third round of the Sheffield Shield to further prepare for the series." The third round of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition begins on 28 October.