English Fast Bowler Mark Wood Reveals Reserved Optimism for Ashes First Test
The bowler has not played a Test since August 2024.
The English fast bowler Mark Wood has stated he feels "quietly confident" about his fitness for the opening match 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 in March.
That tournament and India series that preceded it marked his comeback after an elbow problem which sidelined him since August 2024.
"The summer was disappointing," Wood explained. "I was unable to participate in any cricket and my knee sometimes, when it seemed I was nearly fit, it wasn't fully recovered."
"I faced setbacks a couple of times, but in the tent [training camp] progress has been positive. We've used the radar gun and my speed is increasing."
The opener of the Ashes starts on 21 November at Perth, with England aiming to win their first Test series in Australia in over a decade.
"Hopefully, I'm in form, bowling well during warm-up matches and in net sessions, and can make my case for the first Test," added Wood, who last played a Test versus Sri Lanka over a year back.
"My recovery wasn't a smooth process, it's been a bit up and down, but I'm in a good position now and hope to push forward toward the match."
"I avoid making statements where I say, 'Yes, I'm pumped, I'm ready'. I'm in a confident place at the minute and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm cautiously hopeful."
Australian Injury Worries
At the same time, worries for Australia over the fitness of squad members has resulted in player Cameron Green being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series with India, beginning this weekend.
The Aussies also have doubts about the fitness of skipper Pat Cummins, who's been absent since July because of lumbar bone stress in his back.
"Green is unavailable of the [India] series after suffering low-grade side soreness at training this week," Cricket Australia said.
"He will undergo a brief rehab stint and is tracking to return for the third round of the Sheffield Shield to further prepare for the series."
The third round of the Sheffield Shield tournament is scheduled to start on 28 October.
