England's Wood 'quietly confident' for Ashes opener

Wood has not played a Test since August 2024

England fast bowler Mark Wood says he is "quietly confident" of being fit for the first Test of the Ashes series in Australia.

Wood has not played since a Champions Trophy defeat by Afghanistan in February and had an operation on a left knee injury in March.

The Champions Trophy and tour of India that preceded it was the 35-year-old's return from an elbow injury that had kept him out of action since August 2024.

"It was a frustrating summer," Wood told the Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast. "I didn't get to play any cricket and my knee, at times when you think that you're just about ready to play, it was not just quite there.

"I got knocked back a couple of times, but in the tent [training camp] it's been going well. I've had the speed gun out and the pace is getting up there."

The first match of the Ashes starts on 21 November in Perth, with England aiming to win their first Test series in Australia since 2010-2011.

"Hopefully, I'm in form, bowling well in the practice games and in the nets, and can put my hand up for that game [Ashes opener]," added Wood, whose last Test outing was against Sri Lanka 14 months ago.

"The rehab hasn't just been 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 for that game.

"I never want to give an answer where I say, 'Yes, I'm pumped, I'm ready'. I'm in a confident place at the minute and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm quietly confident."

Saker to return as bowling coach

The bowling coach when England last won in Australia was David Saker and he has been brought in as bowling coach/consultant for this winter's Ashes.

The 59-year-old was also England's bowling coach when they beat Australia 3-0 in the 2013 home series during his initial five-year stint with the team.

He worked with Australia's fast bowlers between 2016 and 2019 - helping them regain the urn with a 4-0 series win in 2017-2018 - before again linking up with England in 2023.

Saker will work with England for the build-up and all five Tests in Australia, while England bowling consultant and New Zealand seamer Tim Southee will be with them for the build-up and first Test.

Southee, who was appointed in May, is playing in an International League T20 tournament which begins on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.

However assistant coach Paul Collingwood will not be part of the backroom team for the Ashes series

Collingwood, who is mainly responsible for England's fielding, was not part of the coaching set-up over the summer owing to personal reasons.

Green experiencing side soreness

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

Australia already have doubts about the fitness of captain Pat Cummins, who has not played since July because of lumbar bone stress in his back.

"Cameron Green has been ruled out of the [India] series having experienced low-grade side soreness at training this week," Cricket Australia said.

"Green will complete a short period of rehabilitation and is tracking to return to play in round three of the Sheffield Shield to continue his preparation for the Ashes."

The third round of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition is scheduled to start on 28 October.