🔗 Share this article England's Paceman Mark Wood Expresses Quiet Confidence for Ashes Opener The bowler has been absent from Test cricket since August 2024. The English pace spearhead Mark Wood says he is "cautiously optimistic" about his fitness for the first Test of cricket's greatest rivalry in Australia. Wood has not played following a Champions Trophy loss by Afghanistan last winter and had an operation on a left knee injury in March. The Champions Trophy and tour of India that preceded it marked his comeback from an elbow injury that had kept him out since August 2024. "It was a frustrating summer," Wood explained. "I didn't get to play any matches and my knee, at times, when you think I was nearly fit, it wasn't fully recovered." "I got knocked back on several occasions, but in the tent [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 at Perth, with England aiming to win their initial series win 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 the first Test," Wood continued, who last played a Test was against Sri Lanka 14 months ago. "My recovery wasn't a straight curve, it's been a bit up and down, but now I'm in a better place and hope to push forward toward the match." "I avoid making statements claiming, 'Yes, I'm pumped, I'm set'. I'm in a confident place currently and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm cautiously hopeful." Australia's Fitness Concerns At the same time, Australia's concerns over the fitness of squad members has resulted in all-rounder Cameron Green being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne for the three-match one-day series against India, which starts on Sunday. Australia already have doubts about the fitness of skipper Pat Cummins, who's been absent since mid-year because of lumbar bone stress in his back. "Cameron Green has been ruled out for the India series after suffering mild side discomfort during recent practice," Cricket Australia said. "He will undergo a brief rehab stint and is tracking to return to play in round three of domestic cricket to continue his preparation for the series." Round three of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition begins on 28 October.