England's Fast Bowler Mark Wood Reveals Quiet Confidence for Ashes First Test
The bowler has not played a Test since August 2024.
The English pace spearhead Mark Wood has stated he feels "quietly confident" about his fitness for the opening match of cricket's greatest rivalry down under.
The cricketer has been sidelined following a Champions Trophy loss by Afghanistan in February and had an operation for a knee issue this spring.
That tournament and tour of India that preceded it was the 35-year-old's return from an elbow injury which sidelined him for many months.
"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 was not just quite there."
"I got knocked back 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 opener 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 put my hand up for the first Test," Wood continued, whose last Test outing versus Sri Lanka 14 months ago.
"The rehab hasn't just been 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 never want to give an answer claiming, 'I'm fully ready, I'm ready'. I'm in a confident place currently and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm quietly confident."
Australian Fitness Concerns
Meanwhile, worries for Australia regarding the health of squad members have led to all-rounder Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series with India, which starts on Sunday.
Australia already have doubts about the fitness of captain Pat Cummins, who has not played since July because of lumbar bone stress in his back.
"Cameron Green has been ruled out for the India series after suffering low-grade side soreness during recent practice," Cricket Australia said.
"Green will complete a brief rehab stint and is tracking to return for the third round of domestic cricket to continue his preparation for the Ashes."
The third round of the Sheffield Shield tournament is scheduled to start October 28th.
