🔗 Share this article England's Paceman Mark Wood Reveals Reserved Optimism for The Ashes Series Opener Wood has not played a Test since August 2024. The English pace spearhead Mark Wood says he is "cautiously optimistic" about his fitness for the first Test of the Ashes series down under. Wood has not played following a Champions Trophy loss by Afghanistan in February and had an operation on a left knee injury this spring. The Champions Trophy and India series that preceded it marked his comeback from an elbow injury which sidelined him since August 2024. "The summer was disappointing," Wood stated. "I didn't get to play any cricket and my knee sometimes, when it seemed that you're just about ready, it was not just quite there." "I faced setbacks a couple of times, but in the tent [training camp] progress has been positive. 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 in over a decade. "Hopefully, I'm in form, delivering effectively during warm-up matches and in the nets, and can put my hand up for that game [Ashes opener]," added Wood, who last played a Test was against Sri Lanka 14 months ago. "The rehab hasn't just been a smooth process, it's been a bit up and down, but now I'm in a better place where i'm hoping to kick on toward the match." "I avoid making statements where I say, 'I'm fully ready, I'm ready'. I'm in a confident place at the minute and more optimistic, so I'm quietly confident." Australia's Injury Worries At the same time, Australia's concerns over the fitness of squad members has resulted in all-rounder Cameron Green being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series against India, beginning this weekend. Australia already have doubts about the fitness of skipper Pat Cummins, who's been absent since July due to a back injury affecting his spine. "Cameron Green has been ruled out of the [India] series having experienced low-grade side soreness during recent practice," the cricket board stated. "He will undergo 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.