🔗 Share this article English Fast Bowler Mark Wood Expresses Quiet Confidence for Ashes Opener The bowler has not played a Test since August 2024. The English fast bowler Mark Wood has stated he feels "cautiously optimistic" of being fit for the opening match of the Ashes series in Australia. Wood has not played since a Champions Trophy defeat against Afghanistan last winter and had an operation on a left knee injury in March. That tournament and tour of India which came before was the 35-year-old's return after an elbow problem that had kept him out for many months. "It was a frustrating summer," Wood stated. "I was unable to participate in any matches and my knee, at times, when you think I was nearly fit, it wasn't fully recovered." "I faced setbacks on several occasions, but in the tent [training camp] progress has been positive. I've had the speed gun out and the pace is getting up there." The opener of the Ashes starts on 21 November at Perth, with England aiming to win their initial series win on Australian soil in over a decade. "With luck, I'll be performing well, bowling well during warm-up matches and in net sessions, and can put my hand up for the first Test," added Wood, whose last Test outing was against Sri Lanka 14 months ago. "My recovery wasn't a smooth process, it had its ups and downs, but now I'm in a better place where i'm hoping to kick on toward the match." "I avoid making statements where I say, 'Yes, I'm pumped, I'm ready'. I feel assured currently and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm cautiously hopeful." Australian Injury Worries At the same time, Australia's concerns regarding the health of players have led to all-rounder Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series with India, beginning this weekend. The Aussies also have concerns over the condition of captain Pat Cummins, who's been absent since July because of lumbar bone stress affecting his spine. "Green is unavailable for the India series having experienced mild side discomfort at training this week," Cricket Australia said. "He will undergo a short period of rehabilitation and is expected to be back for the third round of the Sheffield Shield to continue his preparation for the series." The third round of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition is scheduled to start on 28 October.