English Paceman Mark Wood Reveals Reserved Optimism for Ashes Opener
Wood has been absent from Test cricket since August 2024.
The English pace spearhead Mark Wood has stated he feels "quietly confident" about his fitness for the first Test of the Ashes series in Australia.
Wood has not played since a Champions Trophy defeat against Afghanistan last winter and underwent surgery on a left knee injury in March.
The Champions Trophy and tour of India which came before marked his comeback after an elbow problem that had kept him out for many months.
"It was a frustrating summer," Wood explained. "I didn't get to play any matches and my knee sometimes, when you think that you're just about ready, it wasn't fully recovered."
"I got knocked back 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 opener of the Ashes begins November 21st at Perth, with England seeking victory in their initial series win in Australia since 2010-2011.
"Hopefully, I'm in form, bowling well during warm-up matches and in the nets, and can make my case for that game [Ashes opener]," added Wood, whose last Test outing was against Sri Lanka over a year back.
"My recovery wasn't a smooth process, it had its ups and downs, but now I'm in a better place where i'm hoping to kick on for that game."
"I avoid making statements where I say, 'I'm fully ready, I'm set'. I feel assured currently and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm cautiously hopeful."
Australia's Fitness Concerns
Meanwhile, Australia's concerns regarding the health of squad members has resulted in all-rounder Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the three-match one-day series against India, beginning this weekend.
Australia already have concerns over the condition of skipper Pat Cummins, who's been absent since mid-year because of lumbar bone stress affecting his spine.
"Cameron Green has been ruled out of the [India] series having experienced mild side discomfort at training this week," the cricket board stated.
"He will undergo a short period of rehabilitation and is tracking to return 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 on 28 October.
