England's Paceman Mark Wood Expresses Reserved Optimism for The Ashes Series Opener
Wood has not played a Test for over a year.
England's pace spearhead Mark Wood has stated he feels "quietly confident" about his fitness for the opening match of the Ashes series down under.
Wood has not played following a Champions Trophy loss against Afghanistan last winter and had an operation for a knee issue this spring.
The Champions Trophy and tour of India that preceded it marked his comeback after an elbow problem 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, 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] it's been going well. We've used the radar gun and the pace is getting up there."
The opener of the Ashes begins November 21st at Perth, with England seeking victory in 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 the nets, and can put my hand up for that game [Ashes opener]," Wood continued, whose last Test outing versus Sri Lanka 14 months ago.
"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 for that game."
"I never want to give an answer where I say, 'I'm fully ready, I'm ready'. I'm in a confident place currently and more optimistic, so I'm quietly confident."
Australian Fitness Concerns
At the same time, worries for Australia over the fitness 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.
Australia already have doubts about the fitness of captain Pat Cummins, who's been absent since July because of lumbar bone stress in his back.
"Green is unavailable of the [India] series having experienced mild side discomfort during recent practice," the cricket board stated.
"He will undergo a short period of rehabilitation and is tracking to return to play in round three of domestic cricket to continue his preparation for the Ashes."
The third round of the Sheffield Shield tournament is scheduled to start on 28 October.
