🔗 Share this article English Fast Bowler Mark Wood Expresses Reserved Optimism for The Ashes Series Opener Wood has not played a Test for over a year. The English fast bowler Mark Wood has stated he feels "cautiously optimistic" of being fit for the first Test of cricket's greatest rivalry down under. Wood has not played following a Champions Trophy loss against Afghanistan in February and underwent surgery on a left knee injury 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 stated. "I was unable to participate in any matches and my knee, at times, when it seemed I was nearly fit, it wasn't fully recovered." "I faced setbacks on several occasions, but in the tent [training camp] progress has been positive. I've had the speed gun out and the pace is getting up there." The first match of the series starts on 21 November at Perth, with England aiming to win their initial series win 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]," added Wood, whose last Test outing was against Sri Lanka over a year back. "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 never want to give an answer claiming, 'Yes, I'm pumped, I'm ready'. I'm in a confident place currently and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm quietly confident." Australia's Injury Worries Meanwhile, worries for Australia over the fitness of players have led to player Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the three-match one-day series against India, beginning this weekend. The Aussies also have doubts about the fitness of skipper Pat Cummins, who has not played since July because of lumbar bone stress affecting his spine. "Cameron Green has been ruled out of the [India] series after suffering low-grade side soreness at training this week," Cricket Australia said. "He will undergo a brief rehab stint and is expected to be back to play in round three of the Sheffield Shield to continue his preparation for the Ashes." Round three of the Sheffield Shield tournament is scheduled to start on 28 October.