England's Paceman Mark Wood Reveals Reserved Optimism for Ashes Opener
The bowler has been absent from Test cricket for over a year.
The English fast bowler Mark Wood says he is "cautiously optimistic" about his fitness for the first Test of the Ashes series in Australia.
The cricketer has been sidelined following a Champions Trophy loss by Afghanistan last winter and underwent surgery on a left knee injury this spring.
That tournament and tour of India that preceded it marked his comeback after an elbow problem which sidelined him since August 2024.
"It was a frustrating summer," Wood stated. "I was unable to participate in any matches and my knee, at times, when you think I was nearly fit, it wasn't fully recovered."
"I got knocked back on several occasions, 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 Ashes starts on 21 November at Perth, with England seeking victory in their initial series win on Australian soil in over a decade.
"Hopefully, I'm in form, delivering effectively in the practice games and in the nets, and can put my hand up for the first Test," Wood continued, who last played a Test versus Sri Lanka over a year back.
"My recovery wasn't a smooth process, it had its ups and downs, but I'm in a good position now and hope to push forward for that game."
"I avoid making statements where I say, 'I'm fully ready, I'm set'. I'm in a confident place currently and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm quietly confident."
Australia's Injury Worries
Meanwhile, Australia's concerns over the fitness of players has resulted in all-rounder Cameron Green being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series with India, beginning this weekend.
Australia already have doubts about the fitness of captain Pat Cummins, who's been absent since mid-year because of lumbar bone stress affecting his spine.
"Cameron Green has been ruled out of the [India] series after suffering low-grade side soreness during recent practice," Cricket Australia said.
"He will undergo a brief rehab stint and is expected to be back for the third round of the Sheffield Shield to further prepare for the series."
The third round of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition is scheduled to start on 28 October.
