England's fast bowler, Mark Wood, has set the stage for the highly anticipated Ashes series, acknowledging that the Australian team are the clear favourites. However, he revealed a strong undercurrent of self-belief within the English dressing room as they prepare to challenge for the coveted urn on Australian soil.
Underdogs with a Belief
Speaking ahead of the marquee contest, Wood did not shy away from labelling the hosts as the team to beat. England are aiming to break a streak of three consecutive one-sided Ashes tour defeats, with their last series win in Australia dating back to the 2010-11 season. Despite this historical challenge, the pacer pointed to a resilient mindset within the squad.
"Australia are obviously the favourites going into the series, but I think there's a quiet confidence within our group that we can do well here," Wood was quoted as saying. This sentiment highlights England's determination to overturn the odds and create an upset in the upcoming battles.
Road to Recovery and Match Fitness
The express pacer also provided a crucial update on his own fitness, a key concern for English supporters. Wood has not played a Test match for 15 months, with his last competitive appearance being in the Champions Trophy in February. A knee injury sustained during that tournament sidelined him, making his return to the longest format a significant event for the team's bowling plans.
Describing his rehabilitation as "really boring for six months," Wood admitted it was a process with ups and downs. He stated that he is not yet at 100% peak condition but is methodically building his intensity. The upcoming practice games are seen as a vital step to ramp up his preparations for the first Test in Perth.
Eyes on the 'Rapid' Perth Pitch
All eyes are now on the first Test, which begins in Perth on November 21. Wood expressed his excitement about bowling at the Perth Stadium, a venue he remembers as being "rapid" from his experience during the 2022 T20 World Cup. While he joked that his "back is not looking forward to it," his bowling certainly is, indicating his readiness to unleash his pace on a traditionally fast and bouncy wicket.
Addressing criticisms about England's limited warm-up schedule, Wood defended the team's preparations. He pointed to their recent success in India, where they managed to win the first Test despite minimal practice games, as evidence that the current build-up is sufficient. For Wood, the priority is feeling fresh and "mint" for the series opener, trusting in the team's depth of bowling resources to cover all contingencies.
