🔗 Share this article England's Paceman Mark Wood Expresses Quiet Confidence for The Ashes Series Opener The bowler has not played a Test since August 2024. The English pace spearhead Mark Wood has stated he feels "quietly confident" of being fit for the first Test of cricket's greatest rivalry down under. Wood has not played following a Champions Trophy loss against Afghanistan last winter and had an operation on a left knee injury this spring. That tournament and India series that preceded it marked his comeback after an elbow problem that had kept him out for many months. "The summer was disappointing," Wood stated. "I was unable to participate in any cricket and my knee, at times, when it seemed I was nearly fit, it was not just quite there." "I faced setbacks 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 series begins November 21st in Perth, with England seeking victory in their first Test series in Australia in over a decade. "With luck, I'll be performing well, delivering effectively during warm-up matches and in the nets, and can make my case for that game [Ashes opener]," added Wood, who last played a Test was against Sri Lanka 14 months ago. "My recovery wasn't 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 never want to give an answer where I say, 'Yes, I'm pumped, I'm ready'. I'm in a confident place currently and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm quietly confident." Australia's Injury Worries At the same time, worries for Australia regarding the health of squad members has resulted in player Cameron Green being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series against India, beginning this weekend. Australia already have concerns over the condition of captain Pat Cummins, who has not played since July because of lumbar bone stress affecting his spine. "Cameron Green has been ruled out of the [India] series after suffering low-grade side soreness at training this week," the cricket board stated. "He will undergo a brief rehab stint and is expected to be back for the third round of domestic cricket to further prepare for the series." Round three of the Sheffield Shield tournament is scheduled to start October 28th.