🔗 Share this article English Fast Bowler Mark Wood Reveals Quiet Confidence for The Ashes Series Opener The bowler has been absent from Test cricket since August 2024. England's pace spearhead Mark Wood says he is "cautiously optimistic" of being fit for the first Test of the Ashes series in Australia. Wood has not played since a Champions Trophy defeat by Afghanistan in February and underwent surgery on a left knee injury in March. That tournament and India series which came before was the 35-year-old's return from an elbow injury which sidelined him for many months. "The summer was disappointing," Wood explained. "I didn't get to play any cricket and my knee sometimes, when you think I was nearly fit, it wasn't fully recovered." "I faced setbacks a couple of times, but during the training camp it's been going well. We've used the radar gun and the pace is getting up there." The first match of the series begins November 21st in Perth, with England seeking victory in their initial series win on Australian soil in over a decade. "With luck, I'll be performing well, bowling well in the practice games and in net sessions, and can put my hand up for that game [Ashes opener]," added Wood, who last played a Test versus Sri Lanka over a year back. "The rehab hasn't just been a straight curve, it had its ups and downs, but I'm in a good position now and hope to push forward for that game." "I avoid making statements where I say, 'Yes, I'm pumped, I'm set'. I'm in a confident place currently and more optimistic, so I'm quietly confident." Australia's Injury Worries Meanwhile, worries for Australia regarding the health of squad members have led to player Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the three-match one-day series with India, beginning this weekend. The Aussies also have concerns over the condition 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 at training this week," the cricket board stated. "He will undergo a brief rehab stint and is expected to be back to play in round three of domestic cricket to further prepare for the series." Round three of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition begins on 28 October.