England's Fast Bowler Mark Wood Expresses Reserved Optimism for Ashes Opener
Wood has been absent from Test cricket for over a year.
England's fast bowler Mark Wood has stated he feels "quietly confident" of being fit for the first Test of cricket's greatest rivalry down under.
Wood has not played since a Champions Trophy defeat against Afghanistan last winter and underwent surgery for a knee issue 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.
"The summer was disappointing," Wood explained. "I didn't get to play any matches and my knee sometimes, 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 my speed is increasing."
The first match of the Ashes starts on 21 November at Perth, with England seeking victory in their initial series win in Australia since 2010-2011.
"With luck, I'll be performing well, bowling well in the practice games and in net sessions, and can make my case for the first Test," Wood continued, who last played a Test versus Sri Lanka over a year back.
"My recovery wasn't a smooth process, 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 never want to give an answer claiming, 'I'm fully ready, I'm ready'. I'm in a confident place currently and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm cautiously hopeful."
Australian Fitness Concerns
At the same time, Australia's concerns regarding the health of players has resulted in player Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series against India, beginning this weekend.
The Aussies also have doubts about the fitness of captain Pat Cummins, who's been absent since mid-year due to a back injury affecting his spine.
"Green is unavailable for the India series after suffering low-grade side soreness during recent practice," the cricket board stated.
"He will undergo a short period of rehabilitation and is tracking to return for the third round of the Sheffield Shield to further prepare for the Ashes."
The third round of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition begins October 28th.
