🔗 Share this article English Fast Bowler Mark Wood Expresses Reserved Optimism for The Ashes Series Opener The bowler has not played a Test for over a year. England's pace spearhead Mark Wood says he is "cautiously optimistic" about his fitness for the opening match of cricket's greatest rivalry down under. The cricketer has been sidelined following a Champions Trophy loss against Afghanistan last winter and had an operation for a knee issue in March. That tournament and India series which came before marked his comeback after an elbow problem that had kept him out since August 2024. "It was a frustrating summer," Wood explained. "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 a couple of times, but in the tent [training camp] it's been going well. I've had the speed gun out and the pace is getting up there." The opener of the Ashes starts on 21 November in Perth, with England seeking victory in their initial series win in Australia in over a decade. "With luck, I'll be performing well, delivering effectively in the practice games and in the nets, and can put my hand up for the first Test," Wood continued, who last played a Test was against Sri Lanka 14 months ago. "The rehab hasn't just been a straight curve, it's been a bit up and down, but I'm in a good position now where i'm hoping to kick on for that game." "I never want to give an answer claiming, 'I'm fully ready, I'm ready'. I feel assured at the minute and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm cautiously hopeful." Australia's Injury Worries At the same time, worries for Australia over the fitness of squad members have led to player Cameron Green being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne for the three-match one-day series against India, beginning this weekend. Australia already have doubts about the fitness of skipper Pat Cummins, who's been absent since July because of lumbar bone stress in his back. "Cameron Green has been ruled out for the India series having experienced low-grade side soreness at training this week," the cricket board stated. "He will undergo a short period of rehabilitation and is expected to be back to play in round three of domestic cricket to further prepare for the Ashes." The third round of the Sheffield Shield tournament is scheduled to start October 28th.