🔗 Share this article England's Fast Bowler Mark Wood Expresses Quiet Confidence for Ashes Opener The bowler has not played a Test for over a year. England's pace spearhead Mark Wood has stated he feels "cautiously optimistic" about his fitness for the first Test of the Ashes series in Australia. Wood has not played since a Champions Trophy defeat by Afghanistan in February and had an operation for a knee issue this spring. The Champions Trophy and tour of India that preceded it was the 35-year-old's return after an elbow problem that had kept him out for many months. "The summer was disappointing," Wood explained. "I didn't get to play any matches and my knee sometimes, when you think I was nearly fit, it was not just quite there." "I got knocked back a couple of times, but in the tent [training camp] it's been going well. I've had the speed gun out and my speed is increasing." The first match of the Ashes starts on 21 November in Perth, with England aiming to win their initial series win in Australia since 2010-2011. "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]," Wood continued, who last played a Test was against Sri Lanka over a year back. "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 toward the match." "I never want to give an answer where I say, 'Yes, I'm pumped, I'm set'. I'm in a confident place currently and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm quietly confident." Australian Injury Worries Meanwhile, worries for Australia regarding the health of squad members has resulted in player Cameron Green being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne for the three-match one-day series against India, which starts on Sunday. The Aussies also have doubts about the fitness of skipper Pat Cummins, who's been absent since mid-year due to a back injury affecting his spine. "Cameron Green has been ruled out for 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 tracking to return for the third round of domestic cricket to further prepare for the series." The third round of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition begins on 28 October.