English Fast Bowler Mark Wood Expresses Reserved Optimism for Ashes First Test
The bowler has not played a Test for over a year.
The English fast bowler Mark Wood says he is "cautiously optimistic" about his fitness for the first Test of the Ashes series down under.
Wood has not played since a Champions Trophy defeat by Afghanistan last winter and had an operation for a knee issue this spring.
The Champions Trophy and tour of India that preceded it marked his comeback from an elbow injury which sidelined him for many months.
"It was a frustrating summer," Wood explained. "I was unable to participate in any cricket and my knee sometimes, when you think I was nearly fit, it was not just quite there."
"I faced setbacks on several occasions, but during the 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 first Test series on Australian soil in over a decade.
"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, whose last Test outing was against Sri Lanka over a year back.
"My recovery wasn't a smooth process, it's been a bit up and down, but now I'm in a better place and hope to push forward for that game."
"I never want to give an answer claiming, 'I'm fully ready, I'm ready'. I feel assured currently and more optimistic, so I'm cautiously hopeful."
Australia's Fitness Concerns
At the same time, Australia's concerns regarding the health of squad members has resulted in all-rounder Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series with India, which starts on Sunday.
The Aussies also have doubts about the fitness of captain Pat Cummins, who's been absent since mid-year due to a back injury affecting his spine.
"Cameron Green has been ruled out of the [India] series after suffering low-grade side soreness at training this week," Cricket Australia said.
"He will undergo a brief rehab stint and is expected to be back for the third round of domestic cricket to continue his preparation for the series."
The third round of the Sheffield Shield tournament begins on 28 October.
