🔗 Share this article England's Fast Bowler Mark Wood Expresses Reserved Optimism for The Ashes Series Opener The bowler has not played a Test for over a year. The English fast bowler Mark Wood has stated he feels "quietly confident" of being fit for the opening match of cricket's greatest rivalry down under. The cricketer has been sidelined since a Champions Trophy defeat by Afghanistan last winter and had an operation on a left knee injury this spring. The Champions Trophy and tour of India that preceded it was the 35-year-old's return from an elbow injury that had kept him out for many months. "The summer was disappointing," Wood stated. "I didn't get to play any matches and my knee sometimes, when you think that you're just about ready, it was not just quite there." "I got knocked back on several occasions, 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 starts on 21 November in Perth, with England aiming to win their first Test series in Australia in over a decade. "With luck, I'll be performing well, delivering effectively 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 straight curve, it had its ups and downs, but now I'm in a better place and hope to push forward for that game." "I never want to give an answer claiming, 'Yes, I'm pumped, I'm set'. I feel assured at the minute and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm quietly confident." Australia's Fitness Concerns At the same time, worries for Australia over the fitness of players have led to player Cameron Green being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series with India, which starts on Sunday. The Aussies also have doubts about the fitness of skipper Pat Cummins, who has not played since July due to a back injury in his back. "Green is unavailable for the India series after suffering mild side discomfort at training this week," the cricket board stated. "Green will complete a brief rehab stint and is expected to be back to play in round three of the Sheffield Shield to further prepare for the Ashes." Round three of the Sheffield Shield tournament begins on 28 October.