England's Paceman Mark Wood Expresses Reserved Optimism for Ashes First Test
The bowler has been absent from Test cricket since August 2024.
The English pace spearhead Mark Wood says he is "quietly confident" about his fitness for the first Test of cricket's greatest rivalry down under.
The cricketer has been sidelined since a Champions Trophy defeat by Afghanistan in February and had an operation for a knee issue in March.
The Champions Trophy and India series 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 was unable to participate in any cricket and my knee sometimes, when you think I was nearly fit, it wasn't fully recovered."
"I faced setbacks a couple of times, but during the 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 in Perth, with England seeking victory in their first Test series in Australia in over a decade.
"With luck, I'll be performing well, delivering effectively during warm-up matches and in the nets, and can put my hand up for the first Test," Wood continued, whose last Test outing versus Sri Lanka 14 months ago.
"The rehab hasn't just been 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 avoid making statements where I say, 'I'm fully ready, I'm ready'. I'm in a confident place at the minute and more optimistic, so I'm quietly confident."
Australian Fitness Concerns
At the same time, Australia's concerns regarding the health of squad members has resulted in player Cameron Green making way for 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 mid-year due to a back injury in his back.
"Cameron Green has been ruled out of the [India] series having experienced low-grade side soreness during recent practice," Cricket Australia said.
"Green will complete a short period of rehabilitation and is tracking to return for the third round of the Sheffield Shield to continue his preparation for the series."
Round three of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition begins on 28 October.
