🔗 Share this article English Paceman 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 says he is "quietly confident" of being fit for the opening match of cricket's greatest rivalry down under. The cricketer has been sidelined since a Champions Trophy defeat by Afghanistan last winter and underwent surgery for a knee issue in March. The Champions Trophy and India series that preceded it marked his comeback from an elbow injury which sidelined him for many months. "The summer was disappointing," Wood stated. "I was unable to participate in any cricket and my knee sometimes, when it seemed I was nearly fit, it wasn't fully recovered." "I got knocked back a couple of times, but in the tent [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 at Perth, with England seeking victory in their initial series win on Australian soil since 2010-2011. "With luck, I'll be performing well, bowling well during warm-up matches and in the nets, and can put my hand up for the first Test," Wood continued, who last played a Test versus Sri Lanka 14 months ago. "My recovery wasn't 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 claiming, 'I'm fully ready, I'm set'. I feel assured currently and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm cautiously hopeful." Australian Fitness Concerns At the same time, worries for Australia regarding the health of squad members has resulted in all-rounder Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the three-match one-day series with India, which starts on Sunday. Australia already have doubts about the fitness of skipper Pat Cummins, who's been absent since mid-year because of lumbar bone stress affecting his spine. "Green is unavailable for the India series having experienced low-grade side soreness at training this week," Cricket Australia said. "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 the Sheffield Shield tournament is scheduled to start October 28th.