🔗 Share this article England's Fast Bowler Mark Wood Expresses Reserved Optimism for The Ashes Series First Test Wood has not played a Test since August 2024. The English pace spearhead Mark Wood says he is "cautiously optimistic" of being fit for the first Test of the Ashes series in Australia. The cricketer has been sidelined following a Champions Trophy loss against Afghanistan last winter and had an operation on a left knee injury in March. That tournament and tour of India that preceded it marked his comeback from an elbow injury 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 sometimes, when it seemed I was nearly fit, it was not just quite there." "I got knocked back on several occasions, but during the training camp it's been going well. We've used the radar gun and the pace is getting up there." The first match of the series starts on 21 November at Perth, with England aiming to win their first Test series on Australian soil in over a decade. "With luck, I'll be performing well, delivering effectively during warm-up matches and in net sessions, and can put my hand up for that game [Ashes opener]," Wood continued, who last played a Test was against Sri Lanka over a year back. "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 avoid making statements 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 Fitness Concerns Meanwhile, Australia's concerns regarding the health of squad members has resulted in player Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series with India, beginning this weekend. The Aussies also have concerns over the condition of captain Pat Cummins, who has not played since mid-year because of lumbar bone stress in his back. "Green is unavailable of the [India] series having experienced mild side discomfort at training this week," the cricket board stated. "Green will complete a brief rehab stint and is tracking to return for the third round of domestic cricket to further prepare for the series." The third round of the Sheffield Shield tournament is scheduled to start on 28 October.