Mark Wood, the England pacer, gave the latest update about his fitness on a podcast show, stating that he is feeling “confident” about being ready for the first Ashes Test of the five-match series against
Australia down under next month. The 35-year-old is working hard behind the scenes to return from a knee injury, which was operated on following England’s loss to Afghanistan in February during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Before that, Mark Wood had made a return to international cricket during the tour to India earlier this year from an elbow injury which had sidelined him since August 2024. With age catching up and injuries adding up, Mark Wood will be hoping to be available for selection for the Ashes 2025-26, which could be his last such battle against Australia in the longest format of the game.
I'm in a confident place at the minute and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm quietly confident: Mark Wood
While speaking to the Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast via BBC Sport, Mark Wood was quoted as saying about his time off due to injury, “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.”
With the first Test of the Ashes series set to begin at the Optus Stadium in Perth on November 21, Mark Wood is looking to work hard in the nets and practice games to show the selectors that he is their man. He remarked, “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].”
“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,” Mark Wood further said about his credentials for the first Test of the Ashes 2025-26 and beyond.
