England's Paceman Mark Wood Expresses Quiet Confidence for Ashes First Test
The bowler has been absent from Test cricket for over a year.
The English pace spearhead Mark Wood says he is "quietly confident" about his fitness for the opening match of cricket's greatest rivalry in Australia.
The cricketer has been sidelined since a Champions Trophy defeat against Afghanistan in February and underwent surgery on a left knee injury in March.
The Champions Trophy and India series which came before was the 35-year-old's return from an elbow injury that had kept him out for many months.
"It was a frustrating summer," Wood stated. "I was unable to participate in any matches and my knee sometimes, when you think I was nearly fit, it was not just quite there."
"I got knocked back a couple of times, but in the tent [training camp] it's been going well. We've used the radar gun and my speed is increasing."
The opener of the series begins November 21st in Perth, with England aiming to win their initial series win in Australia since 2010-2011.
"Hopefully, I'm in form, bowling well during warm-up matches and in net sessions, and can put my hand up for the first Test," Wood continued, who last played a Test versus Sri Lanka over a year back.
"The rehab hasn't just been a smooth process, it had its ups and downs, but now I'm in a better place where i'm hoping to kick on toward the match."
"I avoid making statements claiming, 'I'm fully ready, I'm set'. I'm in a confident place at the minute and more optimistic, so I'm quietly confident."
Australian Injury Worries
At the same time, worries for Australia over the fitness of players has resulted in all-rounder Cameron Green being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne for the three-match one-day series with India, which starts on Sunday.
The Aussies also have concerns over the condition of skipper Pat Cummins, who's been absent since July due to a back injury affecting his spine.
"Cameron Green has been ruled out for the India series having experienced low-grade side soreness at training this week," Cricket Australia said.
"He will undergo a brief rehab stint and is expected to be back for the third round of the Sheffield Shield to continue his preparation for the Ashes."
The third round of the Sheffield Shield tournament begins on 28 October.
