England's Fast Bowler Mark Wood Reveals Reserved Optimism for Ashes 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 first Test of the Ashes series in Australia.
The cricketer has been sidelined since a Champions Trophy defeat against Afghanistan last winter and had an operation for a knee issue in March.
The Champions Trophy and tour of India which came before marked his comeback after an elbow problem which sidelined him since August 2024.
"The summer was disappointing," Wood explained. "I didn't get to play any cricket and my knee, at times, when you think I was nearly fit, it was not just quite there."
"I got knocked back on several occasions, but in the tent [training camp] it's been going well. I've had the speed gun out and the pace is getting up there."
The opener of the Ashes starts on 21 November in Perth, with England aiming to win their initial series win in Australia in over a decade.
"Hopefully, I'm in form, delivering effectively during warm-up matches and in net sessions, and can make my case for the first Test," added Wood, who last played a Test was against Sri Lanka over a year back.
"My recovery wasn't 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, 'Yes, I'm pumped, I'm ready'. 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 regarding the health of squad members has resulted in all-rounder Cameron Green being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series against India, which starts on Sunday.
The Aussies also have doubts about the fitness of skipper Pat Cummins, who has not played since July due to a back injury in his back.
"Cameron Green has been ruled out for the India series after suffering low-grade side soreness at training this week," the cricket board stated.
"He will undergo a short period of rehabilitation and is expected to be back for the third round of domestic cricket to continue his preparation for the series."
The third round of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition begins on 28 October.
