🔗 Share this article English Fast Bowler Mark Wood Reveals Quiet Confidence for Ashes First Test The bowler has not played a Test for over a year. England's pace spearhead Mark Wood says he is "quietly confident" about his fitness for the first Test of the Ashes series in Australia. The cricketer has been sidelined since a Champions Trophy defeat by Afghanistan last winter and had an operation for a knee issue this spring. That tournament and India series that preceded it was the 35-year-old's return after an elbow problem that had kept him out since August 2024. "It was a frustrating summer," Wood explained. "I was unable to participate in any matches and my knee sometimes, when it seemed 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 it's been going well. We've used the radar gun and my speed is increasing." The first match of the Ashes starts on 21 November at Perth, with England aiming to win their initial series win on Australian soil since 2010-2011. "Hopefully, I'm in form, bowling well during warm-up matches and in net sessions, and can put my hand up for that game [Ashes opener]," added Wood, who last played a Test versus Sri Lanka over a year back. "The rehab hasn't just been a straight curve, it's been a bit up and down, but now I'm in a better place and hope to push forward for that game." "I avoid making statements where I say, 'Yes, I'm pumped, I'm set'. I'm in a confident place at the minute and more optimistic, so I'm cautiously hopeful." Australian Fitness Concerns Meanwhile, worries for Australia over the fitness of players has resulted in player Cameron Green being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne for the three-match one-day series with India, which starts on Sunday. The Aussies also have doubts about the fitness of captain Pat Cummins, who's been absent since July due to a back injury affecting his spine. "Cameron Green has been ruled out of the [India] series after suffering mild side discomfort during recent practice," Cricket Australia said. "Green will complete a short period of rehabilitation and is expected to be back for the third round of domestic cricket to continue his preparation for the Ashes." Round three of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition begins on 28 October.