England's Fast Bowler Mark Wood Expresses Quiet Confidence for Ashes First Test
The bowler has been absent from Test cricket for over a year.
England's pace spearhead Mark Wood has stated he feels "quietly confident" of being fit for the first Test of the Ashes series in Australia.
Wood has not played following a Champions Trophy loss by Afghanistan last winter and had an operation on a left knee injury in March.
That tournament and tour of India that preceded it was the 35-year-old's return from an elbow injury which sidelined him for many months.
"The summer was disappointing," Wood explained. "I didn't get to play any cricket and my knee sometimes, when it seemed I was nearly fit, it was not just quite there."
"I got knocked back a couple of times, but during the training camp it's been going well. I've had the speed gun out and my speed is increasing."
The opener of the Ashes starts on 21 November in Perth, with England seeking victory in their initial series win on Australian soil since 2010-2011.
"Hopefully, I'm in form, delivering effectively during warm-up matches and in net sessions, and can put my hand up for that game [Ashes opener]," Wood continued, whose last Test outing versus Sri Lanka over a year back.
"My recovery wasn't 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 where I say, 'Yes, I'm pumped, I'm set'. I'm in a confident place at the minute and more optimistic, so I'm quietly confident."
Australian Fitness Concerns
Meanwhile, Australia's concerns regarding the health of squad members has resulted in all-rounder Cameron Green being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne for the three-match one-day series with India, beginning this weekend.
Australia already have doubts about the fitness of captain Pat Cummins, who's been absent since July because of lumbar bone stress in his back.
"Green is unavailable of the [India] series after suffering low-grade side soreness at training this week," Cricket Australia said.
"Green will complete a brief rehab stint and is tracking to return for the third round of domestic cricket to continue his preparation for the series."
The third round of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition is scheduled to start on 28 October.
