🔗 Share this article

The English pace spearhead Mark Wood has stated he feels "quietly confident" about his fitness for the first Test of cricket's greatest rivalry down under.

The cricketer has been sidelined since a Champions Trophy defeat by Afghanistan in February and underwent surgery on a left knee injury in March.

The Champions Trophy and India series which came before marked his comeback 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 cricket and my knee sometimes, when you think I was nearly fit, it wasn't fully recovered."

"I faced setbacks on several occasions, but in the tent [training camp] it's been going well. I've had the speed gun out and the pace is getting up there."

The opener of the Ashes begins November 21st at Perth, with England aiming to win their initial series win in Australia since 2010-2011.

"Hopefully, I'm in form, bowling well in the practice games and in the nets, and can put my hand up 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 straight curve, it's been a bit up and down, but I'm in a good position now where i'm hoping to kick on toward the match."

"I avoid making statements where I say, 'Yes, I'm pumped, I'm ready'. I feel assured at the minute and more optimistic, so I'm quietly confident."

Australia's Fitness Concerns

At the same time, Australia's concerns regarding the health of players has resulted in player Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series against India, beginning this weekend.

The Aussies also have concerns over the condition of skipper Pat Cummins, who's been absent since July because of lumbar bone stress in his back.

"Green is unavailable of the [India] series having experienced mild side discomfort during recent practice," Cricket Australia said.

"He will undergo a brief rehab stint and is tracking to return to play in round three of the Sheffield Shield to continue his preparation for the Ashes."

The third round of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition is scheduled to start October 28th.