English Fast Bowler Mark Wood Reveals Quiet Confidence for Ashes Opener
Wood has been absent from Test cricket for over a year.
England's fast bowler Mark Wood says he is "cautiously optimistic" about his fitness for the first Test of cricket's greatest rivalry down under.
The cricketer has been sidelined following a Champions Trophy loss by Afghanistan in February and had an operation for a knee issue in March.
That tournament and tour of India that preceded it was the 35-year-old's return after an elbow problem which sidelined him 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 was not just quite there."
"I faced setbacks a couple of times, 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 in Perth, with England aiming to win their first Test series in Australia in over a decade.
"With luck, I'll be performing well, delivering effectively during warm-up matches and in the nets, and can make my case for that game [Ashes opener]," added Wood, whose last Test outing versus Sri Lanka 14 months ago.
"The rehab hasn't just been a smooth process, it had its ups and downs, but I'm in a good position now where i'm hoping to kick on toward the match."
"I avoid making statements claiming, 'I'm fully ready, I'm ready'. I feel assured at the minute and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm quietly confident."
Australia's Fitness Concerns
At the same time, worries for Australia regarding the health of players has resulted in all-rounder 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 because of lumbar bone stress affecting his spine.
"Green is unavailable of the [India] series after suffering low-grade side soreness during recent practice," Cricket Australia said.
"Green will complete a short period of rehabilitation 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 October 28th.
