English Paceman Mark Wood Reveals Quiet Confidence for Ashes First Test
Wood has not played a Test since August 2024.
England's fast bowler Mark Wood says he is "quietly confident" of being fit for the first Test of the Ashes series down under.
Wood has not played since a Champions Trophy defeat against Afghanistan last winter and underwent surgery for a knee issue this spring.
That tournament and India series which came before marked his comeback after an elbow problem which sidelined him for many months.
"It was a frustrating summer," Wood explained. "I didn't get to play any matches and my knee sometimes, when you think I was nearly fit, it was not just quite there."
"I got knocked back 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 begins November 21st 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, whose last Test outing was against Sri Lanka over a year back.
"My recovery wasn't a straight curve, 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 avoid making statements where I say, 'I'm fully ready, I'm set'. I feel assured currently and more optimistic, so I'm quietly confident."
Australian Fitness Concerns
At the same time, worries for Australia over the fitness of players has resulted in player Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the three-match one-day series against India, which starts on Sunday.
The Aussies also have doubts about the fitness of captain Pat Cummins, who has not played since July due to a back injury in his back.
"Green is unavailable of the [India] series after suffering mild side discomfort at training this week," Cricket Australia said.
"He will undergo a brief rehab stint and is expected to be back to play in round three of the Sheffield Shield to continue his preparation for the series."
The third round of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition is scheduled to start on 28 October.
