🔗 Share this article English Fast Bowler Mark Wood Expresses Quiet Confidence for The Ashes Series First Test The bowler has been absent from Test cricket for over a year. England's fast bowler Mark Wood says he is "cautiously optimistic" of being fit for the first Test of cricket's greatest rivalry down under. The cricketer has been sidelined since a Champions Trophy defeat by Afghanistan last winter and had an operation for a knee issue this spring. 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. "The summer was disappointing," Wood stated. "I was unable to participate in any matches and my knee, at times, when you think that you're just about ready, it wasn't fully recovered." "I faced setbacks on several occasions, but during the training camp progress has been positive. We've used the radar gun and my speed is increasing." The opener of the series begins November 21st in Perth, with England seeking victory in their first Test series 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 make my case for the first Test," added Wood, whose last Test outing was against 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 where i'm hoping to kick on for that game." "I never want to give an answer where I say, 'Yes, I'm pumped, I'm ready'. I'm in a confident place currently and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm quietly confident." Australia's Fitness Concerns Meanwhile, worries for Australia over the fitness of players have led to player Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series against India, which starts on Sunday. 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. "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 brief rehab stint and is expected to be back for the third round of domestic cricket to continue his preparation for the series." Round three of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition is scheduled to start on 28 October.