🔗 Share this article England's Fast Bowler Mark Wood Reveals Quiet Confidence for Ashes Opener Wood has been absent from Test cricket for over a year. England's pace spearhead Mark Wood has stated he feels "cautiously optimistic" about his fitness for the opening match of cricket's greatest rivalry in Australia. Wood has not played since a Champions Trophy defeat against Afghanistan in February and had an operation for a knee issue in March. The Champions Trophy and India series that preceded it was the 35-year-old's return after an elbow problem that had kept him out for many months. "The summer was disappointing," Wood explained. "I didn't get to play any cricket and my knee, at times, when it seemed that you're just about ready, it was not just quite there." "I faced setbacks on several occasions, but during the training camp progress has been positive. We've used the radar gun and my speed is increasing." The first match of the Ashes begins November 21st at Perth, with England seeking victory in their first Test series in Australia 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, whose last Test outing 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 and hope to push forward toward the match." "I avoid making statements claiming, '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 Fitness Concerns Meanwhile, Australia's concerns over the fitness of squad members has resulted in all-rounder Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the three-match one-day series with India, which starts on Sunday. The Aussies also have doubts about the fitness of skipper Pat Cummins, who has not played since July due to a back injury in his back. "Green is unavailable of the [India] series having experienced mild side discomfort at training this week," the cricket board stated. "He will undergo a brief rehab stint and is expected to be back to play in round three of the Sheffield Shield to further prepare for the Ashes." The third round of the Sheffield Shield tournament is scheduled to start on 28 October.