🔗 Share this article England's Fast Bowler Mark Wood Reveals Reserved Optimism for The Ashes Series Opener Wood has not played a Test since August 2024. The English fast bowler Mark Wood says he is "cautiously optimistic" about his fitness for the first Test of cricket's greatest rivalry down under. The cricketer has been sidelined following a Champions Trophy loss by Afghanistan last winter and had an operation for a knee issue this spring. The Champions Trophy and India series that preceded it marked his comeback from an elbow injury which sidelined him since August 2024. "It was a frustrating summer," Wood stated. "I didn't get to play any matches and my knee sometimes, when you think that you're just about ready, it wasn't fully recovered." "I got knocked back on several occasions, but during the training camp it's been going well. We've used the radar gun and my speed is increasing." The opener of the Ashes starts on 21 November in Perth, with England seeking victory in their first Test series in Australia in over a decade. "With luck, I'll be performing well, bowling well in the practice games and in net sessions, and can put my hand up for the first Test," added Wood, who last played a Test versus Sri Lanka over a year back. "The rehab hasn't just been a smooth process, it's been a bit up and down, but now I'm in a better place where i'm hoping to kick on for that game." "I avoid making statements where I say, 'Yes, I'm pumped, I'm ready'. I feel assured at the minute and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm quietly confident." Australian Fitness Concerns Meanwhile, Australia's concerns regarding the health of squad members have led to player 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's been absent since July because of lumbar bone stress affecting his spine. "Cameron Green has been ruled out of the [India] series having experienced mild side discomfort at training this week," Cricket Australia said. "Green will complete a short period of rehabilitation and is expected to be back to play in round three of domestic cricket to further prepare for the series." The third round of the Sheffield Shield tournament begins October 28th.