🔗 Share this article England's Fast Bowler Mark Wood Expresses Quiet Confidence for Ashes First Test Wood has not played a Test for over a year. The English fast bowler Mark Wood has stated he feels "quietly confident" of being fit for the first Test of the Ashes series down under. Wood has not played since a Champions Trophy defeat against Afghanistan last winter and underwent surgery for a knee issue this spring. That tournament and tour of India which came before marked his comeback after an elbow problem that had kept him out for many months. "The summer was disappointing," Wood stated. "I didn't get to play any matches and my knee, at times, when you think that you're just about ready, it was not just quite there." "I got knocked back a couple of times, but during the training camp progress has been positive. We've used the radar gun and my speed is increasing." The opener of the series starts on 21 November at Perth, with England aiming to win their first Test series on Australian soil since 2010-2011. "Hopefully, I'm in form, bowling well during warm-up matches and in net sessions, and can put my hand up for the first Test," Wood continued, who last played a Test versus Sri Lanka 14 months ago. "The rehab hasn't just been a straight curve, it had its ups and downs, but now I'm in a better place where i'm hoping to kick on for that game." "I avoid making statements where I say, 'I'm fully ready, I'm set'. I feel assured at the minute and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm quietly confident." Australia's Injury Worries At the same time, Australia's concerns regarding the health of players has resulted in player Cameron Green being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne for the three-match one-day series against India, beginning this weekend. Australia already have concerns over the condition of skipper Pat Cummins, who's been absent since July due to a back injury affecting his spine. "Green is unavailable of the [India] series after suffering mild side discomfort during recent practice," the cricket board stated. "Green will complete a brief rehab stint and is tracking to return for the third round of domestic cricket to further prepare for the series." Round three of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition begins October 28th.