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 has stated he feels "quietly confident" about his fitness for the first Test of the Ashes series in Australia.
Wood has not played following a Champions Trophy loss by Afghanistan last winter and had an operation for a knee issue in March.
The Champions Trophy and India series that preceded it marked his comeback after an elbow problem that had kept him out for many months.
"It was a frustrating summer," Wood explained. "I was unable to participate in any matches and my knee, at times, when it seemed that you're just about ready, 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 Ashes begins November 21st at Perth, with England aiming to win their first Test series on Australian soil in over a decade.
"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, who last played a Test versus Sri Lanka 14 months ago.
"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 never want to give an answer where I say, 'I'm fully ready, I'm set'. I'm in a confident place currently and feeling a lot more positive, 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 with India, which starts on Sunday.
The Aussies also have concerns over the condition of captain Pat Cummins, who's been absent since July due to a back injury affecting his spine.
"Green is unavailable for the India series after suffering low-grade side soreness during recent practice," Cricket Australia said.
"Green will complete a brief rehab stint and is tracking to return to play in round three of domestic cricket to further prepare for the series."
Round three of the Sheffield Shield tournament is scheduled to start October 28th.
