England's Paceman Mark Wood Reveals Reserved Optimism for Ashes Opener
Wood has not played a Test for over a year.
The English pace spearhead Mark Wood says he is "cautiously optimistic" about his fitness for the opening match of cricket's greatest rivalry down under.
The cricketer has been sidelined following a Champions Trophy loss against Afghanistan last winter and had an operation on a left knee injury this spring.
That tournament and India series that preceded it marked his comeback after an elbow problem that had kept him out for many months.
"The summer was disappointing," Wood stated. "I was unable to participate in any matches and my knee sometimes, when you think 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 Ashes starts on 21 November in Perth, with England aiming to win 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 make my case for the first Test," added Wood, whose last Test outing was against Sri Lanka over a year back.
"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 and hope to push forward for that game."
"I never want to give an answer claiming, 'Yes, I'm pumped, I'm ready'. I'm in a confident place currently and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm quietly confident."
Australia's Fitness Concerns
Meanwhile, worries for Australia regarding the health of squad members has resulted in player Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series with India, which starts on Sunday.
The Aussies also have doubts about the fitness of captain Pat Cummins, who has not played since July because of lumbar bone stress in his back.
"Green is unavailable for the India series having experienced low-grade side soreness during recent practice," the cricket board stated.
"Green will complete a brief rehab stint and is tracking to return to play in round three of the Sheffield Shield to further prepare for the Ashes."
The third round of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition is scheduled to start on 28 October.
