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England's pace spearhead Mark Wood has stated he feels "cautiously optimistic" about his fitness for the first Test of cricket's greatest rivalry down under.

The cricketer has been sidelined following a Champions Trophy loss by Afghanistan in February and had an operation on a left knee injury in March.

That tournament and tour of India which came before marked his comeback from an elbow injury that had kept him out for many months.

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

"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 my speed is increasing."

The first match of the series begins November 21st at Perth, with England aiming to win their first Test series in Australia in over a decade.

"Hopefully, I'm in form, delivering effectively during warm-up matches and in the nets, and can put my hand up for the first Test," added Wood, whose last Test outing was against Sri Lanka 14 months ago.

"My recovery wasn't 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 avoid making statements where I say, 'I'm fully ready, I'm ready'. I'm in a confident place currently and more optimistic, so I'm quietly confident."

Australian Fitness Concerns

Meanwhile, worries for Australia regarding the health of players has resulted in all-rounder Cameron Green being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series with India, which starts on Sunday.

Australia already have doubts about the fitness of skipper Pat Cummins, who has not played since July due to a back injury affecting his spine.

"Green is unavailable of the [India] series having experienced mild side discomfort during recent practice," Cricket Australia said.

"He will undergo a short period of rehabilitation and is tracking to return for the third round of the Sheffield Shield to continue his preparation for the series."

Round three of the Sheffield Shield tournament begins October 28th.