🔗 Share this article English Paceman Mark Wood Reveals Reserved Optimism for The Ashes Series First Test The bowler has been absent from Test cricket for over a year. The English fast bowler Mark Wood has stated he feels "quietly confident" of being fit for the opening match of cricket's greatest rivalry down under. Wood has not played since a Champions Trophy defeat by Afghanistan in February and had an operation on a left knee injury this spring. That tournament and tour of India which came before marked his comeback after an elbow problem that had kept him out for many months. "It was a frustrating summer," Wood explained. "I didn't get to play any cricket 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 in the tent [training camp] it's been going well. We've used the radar gun and my speed is increasing." The opener of the series starts on 21 November at Perth, with England seeking victory in their initial series win in Australia in over a decade. "With luck, I'll be performing well, bowling well during warm-up matches and in the nets, and can make my case for the first Test," Wood continued, whose last Test outing was against Sri Lanka 14 months ago. "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 never want to give an answer claiming, 'Yes, I'm pumped, I'm ready'. I feel assured at the minute and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm cautiously hopeful." Australia's Fitness Concerns Meanwhile, worries for Australia over the fitness of players have led to all-rounder Cameron Green being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series against India, beginning this weekend. Australia already have concerns over the condition of captain Pat Cummins, who has not played since July due to a back injury affecting his spine. "Green is unavailable of the [India] series having experienced low-grade side soreness during recent practice," Cricket Australia said. "He will undergo a short period of rehabilitation and is expected to be back for the third round of domestic cricket to further prepare for the Ashes." The third round of the Sheffield Shield tournament is scheduled to start October 28th.