🔗 Share this article English Paceman Mark Wood Expresses Quiet Confidence for Ashes First Test The bowler has not played a Test since August 2024. The English fast bowler Mark Wood has stated he feels "quietly confident" about his fitness for the opening match of the Ashes series in Australia. Wood has not played since a Champions Trophy defeat by Afghanistan last winter and had an operation for a knee issue in March. The Champions Trophy and India series that preceded it was the 35-year-old's return from an elbow injury which sidelined him since August 2024. "The summer was disappointing," Wood explained. "I was unable to participate in any cricket and my knee sometimes, when it seemed 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 my speed is increasing." The first match of the series starts on 21 November at Perth, with England aiming to win their initial series win in Australia since 2010-2011. "Hopefully, I'm in form, bowling well in the practice games and in net sessions, and can make my case for that game [Ashes opener]," Wood continued, who last played a Test versus Sri Lanka 14 months ago. "The rehab hasn't just been 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 never want to give an answer claiming, 'Yes, I'm pumped, I'm ready'. I feel assured at the minute and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm quietly confident." Australian Fitness Concerns Meanwhile, worries for Australia over the fitness of squad members has resulted in player Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the three-match one-day series with India, which starts on Sunday. The Aussies also have concerns over the condition of captain Pat Cummins, who's been absent since mid-year because of lumbar bone stress affecting his spine. "Green is unavailable for 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 expected to be back to play in round three of the Sheffield Shield to continue his preparation for the series." Round three of the Sheffield Shield tournament is scheduled to start October 28th.