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The English pace spearhead Mark Wood says he is "quietly confident" of being fit for the opening match of cricket's greatest rivalry in Australia.

The cricketer has been sidelined following a Champions Trophy loss against Afghanistan in February and had an operation for a knee issue this spring.

That tournament and tour of India which came before marked his comeback from an elbow injury that had kept him out since August 2024.

"The summer was disappointing," Wood explained. "I didn't get to play any matches and my knee, at times, when you think I was nearly fit, it wasn't fully recovered."

"I faced setbacks a couple of times, but in the tent [training camp] progress has been positive. We've used the radar gun and my speed is increasing."

The opener of the Ashes 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 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 was against Sri Lanka 14 months ago.

"The rehab hasn't just been a smooth process, it had its ups and downs, but now I'm in a better place where i'm hoping to kick on toward the match."

"I never want to give an answer where I say, 'I'm fully ready, I'm set'. I feel assured currently and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm quietly confident."

Australian Fitness Concerns

Meanwhile, Australia's concerns over the fitness of squad members has resulted in all-rounder Cameron Green being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series against India, which starts on Sunday.

The Aussies also have concerns over the condition of captain Pat Cummins, who's been absent since mid-year because of lumbar bone stress affecting his spine.

"Green is unavailable of the [India] series after suffering low-grade side soreness during recent practice," Cricket Australia said.

"He will undergo a short period of rehabilitation and is tracking to return to play in round three of domestic cricket to further prepare for the Ashes."

The third round of the Sheffield Shield tournament is scheduled to start October 28th.