🔗 Share this article English Paceman Mark Wood Expresses Quiet Confidence for The Ashes Series First Test The bowler has not played a Test for over a year. England's pace spearhead Mark Wood says he is "quietly confident" of being fit for the opening match of the Ashes series down under. The cricketer has been sidelined since a Champions Trophy defeat by Afghanistan in February and had an operation for a knee issue in March. That tournament and tour of India that preceded it marked his comeback after an elbow problem that had kept him out for many months. "It was a frustrating summer," Wood stated. "I didn't get to play any cricket and my knee sometimes, when it seemed I was nearly fit, it wasn't fully recovered." "I faced setbacks a couple of times, but during the training camp progress has been positive. We've used the radar gun and the pace is getting up there." The first match of the series starts on 21 November in Perth, with England aiming to win their first Test series on Australian soil since 2010-2011. "With luck, I'll be performing well, bowling well in the practice games and in the nets, and can put my hand up for that game [Ashes opener]," Wood continued, whose last Test outing 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 I'm in a good position now and hope to push forward toward the match." "I avoid making statements claiming, 'I'm fully ready, I'm set'. 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 players have led to player Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series with India, beginning this weekend. Australia already have doubts about the fitness of captain Pat Cummins, who has not played since July due to a back injury in his back. "Green is unavailable of the [India] series having experienced low-grade side soreness at training this week," Cricket Australia said. "He will undergo a short period of rehabilitation and is tracking to return for the third round of domestic cricket to continue his preparation for the Ashes." Round three of the Sheffield Shield tournament begins October 28th.