🔗 Share this article England's Paceman Mark Wood Reveals Quiet Confidence for The Ashes Series First Test Wood has not played a Test for over a year. The English pace spearhead Mark Wood has stated he feels "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 against Afghanistan in February and had an operation on a left knee injury 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 didn't get to play any matches and my knee, at times, when it seemed that you're just about ready, it wasn't fully recovered." "I faced setbacks a couple of times, but during the training camp progress has been positive. I've had the speed gun out and the pace is getting up there." The first match of the series begins November 21st in Perth, with England aiming to win their initial series win in Australia since 2010-2011. "With luck, I'll be performing well, delivering effectively during warm-up matches and in net sessions, and can make my case for the first Test," added Wood, whose last Test outing versus Sri Lanka over a year back. "My recovery wasn't a straight curve, it had its ups and downs, but I'm in a good position now where i'm hoping to kick on toward the match." "I never want to give an answer claiming, 'Yes, I'm pumped, I'm set'. I'm in a confident place currently and more optimistic, so I'm cautiously hopeful." Australian Injury Worries At the same time, worries for Australia regarding the health of players has resulted in all-rounder Cameron Green being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne for the three-match one-day series against India, beginning this weekend. Australia already have doubts about the fitness of captain Pat Cummins, who's been absent since July because of lumbar bone stress in his back. "Cameron Green has been ruled out for the India series having experienced mild side discomfort during recent practice," the cricket board stated. "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 series." Round three of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition is scheduled to start on 28 October.