English Paceman Mark Wood Reveals Quiet Confidence for Ashes First Test
The bowler has not played a Test for over a year.
The English fast bowler Mark Wood says he is "quietly confident" of being fit for the opening match of cricket's greatest rivalry 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 this spring.
That tournament and tour of India that preceded it marked his comeback after an elbow problem which sidelined him for many months.
"It was a frustrating summer," Wood stated. "I was unable to participate in any cricket and my knee sometimes, when it seemed I was nearly fit, it wasn't fully recovered."
"I faced setbacks on several occasions, but in the tent [training camp] progress has been positive. We've used the radar gun and the pace is getting up there."
The opener of the Ashes 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 the nets, and can put my hand up for that game [Ashes opener]," added Wood, whose last Test outing was against Sri Lanka over a year back.
"My recovery wasn't a straight curve, it's been a bit up and down, but I'm in a good position now and hope to push forward toward the match."
"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 more optimistic, so I'm cautiously hopeful."
Australian Fitness Concerns
At the same time, worries for Australia regarding the health of players have led to player Cameron Green being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne for the three-match one-day series with India, which starts on Sunday.
Australia already have doubts about the fitness of captain Pat Cummins, who's been absent since mid-year due to a back injury affecting his spine.
"Green is unavailable of the [India] series after suffering low-grade side soreness during recent practice," the cricket board stated.
"Green will complete a brief rehab stint and is tracking to return to play in round three of the Sheffield Shield to continue his preparation for the series."
Round three of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition is scheduled to start on 28 October.
