English Fast Bowler Mark Wood Reveals Quiet Confidence for The Ashes Series Opener
The bowler has been absent from Test cricket for over a year.
The English fast bowler Mark Wood says he is "cautiously optimistic" about his fitness for the first Test of the Ashes series down under.
Wood has not played since a Champions Trophy defeat against Afghanistan in February and had an operation for a knee issue this spring.
The Champions Trophy and India series that preceded it was the 35-year-old's return from an elbow injury which sidelined him for many months.
"It was a frustrating summer," Wood stated. "I didn't get to play any matches and my knee sometimes, when you think I was nearly fit, it wasn't fully recovered."
"I got knocked back a couple of times, but during the training camp it's been going well. We've used the radar gun and my speed is increasing."
The opener of the series starts on 21 November at Perth, with England seeking victory in their first Test series on Australian soil since 2010-2011.
"With luck, I'll be performing well, bowling well in the practice games and in the nets, and can make my case for that game [Ashes opener]," added Wood, whose last Test outing versus Sri Lanka over a year back.
"My recovery wasn't a smooth process, it had its ups and downs, but now I'm in a better place and hope to push forward toward the match."
"I avoid making statements where I say, 'I'm fully ready, I'm set'. I'm in a confident place at the minute and more optimistic, so I'm quietly confident."
Australia's Fitness Concerns
Meanwhile, Australia's concerns over the fitness of players has resulted in player Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the three-match one-day series against India, beginning this weekend.
Australia already have concerns over the condition of skipper Pat Cummins, who has not played since mid-year due to a back injury affecting his spine.
"Cameron Green has been ruled out of the [India] series after suffering mild side discomfort at training this week," the cricket board stated.
"He will undergo a brief rehab stint and is tracking to return to play in round three of the Sheffield Shield to continue his preparation for the Ashes."
Round three of the Sheffield Shield tournament is scheduled to start on 28 October.
