🔗 Share this article England's Fast Bowler Mark Wood Reveals Quiet Confidence for The Ashes Series Opener The bowler has been absent from Test cricket for over a year. The English fast bowler Mark Wood has stated he feels "quietly confident" about his fitness for the first Test of the Ashes series in Australia. Wood has not played since a Champions Trophy defeat by Afghanistan last winter and underwent surgery on a left knee injury this spring. The Champions Trophy and India series which came before marked his comeback after an elbow problem which sidelined him since August 2024. "It was a frustrating summer," Wood explained. "I didn't get to play any cricket and my knee, at times, when it seemed that you're just about ready, it wasn't fully recovered." "I faced setbacks on several occasions, but during the 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 begins November 21st at Perth, with England seeking victory in their first Test series on Australian soil in over a decade. "With luck, I'll be performing well, bowling well during warm-up matches and in net sessions, and can make my case for that game [Ashes opener]," added Wood, whose last Test outing was against Sri Lanka 14 months ago. "My recovery wasn't a smooth process, it's been a bit up and down, but now I'm in a better place and hope to push forward toward the match." "I never want to give an answer where I say, 'Yes, I'm pumped, I'm set'. I'm in a confident place currently and more optimistic, so I'm cautiously hopeful." Australian Fitness Concerns Meanwhile, worries for Australia over the fitness 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. The Aussies also have doubts about the fitness of captain Pat Cummins, who has not played since mid-year due to a back injury in his back. "Cameron Green has been ruled out of the [India] series after suffering low-grade side soreness at training this week," Cricket Australia said. "Green will complete a brief rehab stint and is expected to be back for the third round of the Sheffield Shield to further prepare for the series." Round three of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition is scheduled to start on 28 October.