🔗 Share this article English Paceman Mark Wood Reveals Reserved Optimism for The Ashes Series First Test The bowler has not played a Test for over a year. The English fast bowler Mark Wood says he is "quietly confident" about his fitness for the first Test of cricket's greatest rivalry in Australia. The cricketer has been sidelined following a Champions Trophy loss against Afghanistan last winter and underwent surgery for a knee issue this spring. That tournament and tour of India that preceded it marked his comeback from an elbow injury that had kept him out since August 2024. "The summer was disappointing," Wood explained. "I was unable to participate in any cricket and my knee sometimes, when you think 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. I've had the speed gun out and my speed is increasing." The first match of the series starts on 21 November in Perth, with England seeking victory in their first Test series in Australia since 2010-2011. "Hopefully, I'm in form, bowling well in the practice games and in the nets, and can make my case for that game [Ashes opener]," Wood continued, who last played a Test was against Sri Lanka 14 months ago. "The rehab hasn't just been a smooth process, it's been a bit up and down, but now I'm in a better place and hope to push forward for that game." "I never want to give an answer claiming, 'I'm fully ready, I'm set'. I'm in a confident place at the minute and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm quietly confident." Australia's Injury Worries At the same time, worries for Australia over the fitness of squad members have led to all-rounder Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the three-match one-day series against India, which starts on Sunday. Australia already have doubts about the fitness of captain Pat Cummins, who has not played since July because of lumbar bone stress affecting his spine. "Green is unavailable for the India series after suffering low-grade side soreness at training this week," the cricket board stated. "He will undergo a brief rehab stint and is expected to be back for the third round of the Sheffield Shield to further prepare for the Ashes." Round three of the Sheffield Shield tournament begins on 28 October.