English Paceman Mark Wood Expresses Reserved Optimism for Ashes First Test
Wood has been absent from Test cricket since August 2024.
The English fast bowler Mark Wood says he is "quietly confident" about his fitness for the opening match of cricket's greatest rivalry in Australia.
Wood has not played following a Champions Trophy loss by Afghanistan in February and had an operation on a left knee injury this spring.
The Champions Trophy and India series which came before marked his comeback from an elbow injury that had kept him out since August 2024.
"It was a frustrating summer," Wood stated. "I was unable to participate in any matches and my knee sometimes, when you think that you're just about ready, it wasn't fully recovered."
"I faced setbacks a couple of times, but during the training camp progress has been positive. We've used the radar gun and the pace is getting up there."
The first match of the series starts on 21 November in Perth, with England seeking victory in their first Test series on Australian soil in over a decade.
"Hopefully, I'm in form, delivering effectively during warm-up matches and in the nets, and can make my case for that game [Ashes opener]," Wood continued, who last played a Test versus Sri Lanka over a year back.
"My recovery wasn't a smooth process, it's been a bit up and down, but I'm in a good position now where i'm hoping to kick on toward the match."
"I avoid making statements claiming, 'I'm fully ready, I'm set'. I'm in a confident place currently 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.
The Aussies also have concerns over the condition of captain Pat Cummins, who has not played since July because of lumbar bone stress affecting his spine.
"Green is unavailable for the India series having experienced mild side discomfort at training this week," the cricket board stated.
"Green will complete a brief rehab stint and is tracking to return for the third round of domestic cricket to further prepare for the Ashes."
Round three of the Sheffield Shield tournament is scheduled to start October 28th.
