🔗 Share this article 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 says he is "cautiously optimistic" about his fitness for the first Test of the Ashes series down under. The cricketer has been sidelined following a Champions Trophy loss by Afghanistan in February and underwent surgery on a left knee injury this spring. The Champions Trophy and tour of India that preceded it was the 35-year-old's return from an elbow injury which sidelined him since August 2024. "The summer was disappointing," Wood stated. "I was unable to participate in any cricket and my knee sometimes, when you think I was nearly fit, it wasn't fully recovered." "I faced setbacks a couple of times, but during the training camp it's been going well. I've had the speed gun out and my speed is increasing." The opener of the series starts on 21 November at Perth, with England aiming to win their first Test series in Australia since 2010-2011. "Hopefully, I'm in form, bowling well during warm-up matches and in the nets, and can make my case for the first Test," added Wood, whose last Test outing versus Sri Lanka 14 months ago. "The rehab hasn't just been a smooth process, it had its ups and downs, but now I'm in a better place where i'm hoping to kick on toward the match." "I never want to give an answer where I say, 'I'm fully ready, I'm set'. I'm in a confident place at the minute and more optimistic, so I'm quietly confident." Australia's Fitness Concerns Meanwhile, worries for Australia regarding the health of squad members has resulted in all-rounder Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series with India, beginning this weekend. 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. "Green is unavailable for the India series having experienced mild side discomfort at training this week," the cricket board stated. "Green will complete a brief rehab stint and is tracking to return for the third round of the Sheffield Shield to continue his preparation for the Ashes." Round three of the Sheffield Shield tournament is scheduled to start October 28th.