English Fast Bowler Mark Wood Reveals Reserved Optimism for The Ashes Series First Test
Wood has been absent from Test cricket for over a year.
The English pace spearhead Mark Wood has stated he feels "cautiously optimistic" of being fit for the opening match of cricket's greatest rivalry down under.
Wood has not played since a Champions Trophy defeat by Afghanistan in February and had an operation for a knee issue this spring.
The Champions Trophy and India series which came before was the 35-year-old's return from an elbow injury that had kept him out since August 2024.
"The summer was disappointing," 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 faced setbacks a couple of times, but in the tent [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 since 2010-2011.
"With luck, I'll be performing well, bowling well in the practice games and in net sessions, and can put my hand up for that game [Ashes opener]," added Wood, whose last Test outing versus Sri Lanka 14 months ago.
"My recovery wasn't a straight curve, 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 where I say, 'I'm fully ready, I'm set'. I'm in a confident place at the minute and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm quietly confident."
Australia's Injury Worries
At the same time, Australia's concerns regarding the health of squad members has resulted in all-rounder Cameron Green being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne for the three-match one-day series against India, beginning this weekend.
The Aussies also have doubts about the fitness of captain Pat Cummins, who's been absent since July because of lumbar bone stress in his back.
"Cameron Green has been ruled out of the [India] series having experienced mild side discomfort at training this week," Cricket Australia said.
"He will undergo a short period of rehabilitation and is expected to be back for the third round of the Sheffield Shield to further prepare for the Ashes."
Round three of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition is scheduled to start on 28 October.
