🔗 Share this article English Fast Bowler Mark Wood Reveals Quiet Confidence for Ashes Opener The bowler has not played a Test for over a year. The English pace spearhead Mark Wood says he is "cautiously optimistic" 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 in February and underwent surgery 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, at times, when you think that you're just about ready, it wasn't fully recovered." "I faced setbacks on several occasions, but in the tent [training camp] progress has been positive. I've had the speed gun out and the pace is getting up there." The opener of the Ashes begins November 21st in Perth, with England aiming to win their first Test series in Australia since 2010-2011. "With luck, I'll be performing well, delivering effectively in the practice games and in net sessions, and can make my case for the first Test," Wood continued, whose last Test outing versus Sri Lanka 14 months ago. "The rehab hasn't just been a smooth process, it had its ups and downs, but I'm in a good position now where i'm hoping to kick on for that game." "I never want to give an answer where I say, 'I'm fully ready, I'm set'. I feel assured at the minute and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm cautiously hopeful." Australia's Fitness Concerns Meanwhile, worries for Australia over the fitness of players has resulted in player Cameron Green being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne for the three-match one-day series with India, which starts on Sunday. The Aussies also have doubts about the fitness of captain Pat Cummins, who has not played since mid-year due to a back injury in his back. "Cameron Green has been ruled out for the India series having experienced low-grade side soreness during recent practice," Cricket Australia said. "He will undergo a short period of rehabilitation and is tracking to return for the third round of the Sheffield Shield to further prepare for the Ashes." The third round of the Sheffield Shield tournament begins on 28 October.