Having missed the first two Tests of the series, fast bowler Mark Wood lit up Day 1 of the third Ashes 2023 Test, at Headingley, Leeds, as his jaw-dropping pace rattled the Australians.
He was consistently bowling over 90 mph, keeping the Australian batters honest and on their toes. The Aussie batters, who had, in the first two Tests, faced the medium pace of Anderson, Broad, Robinson, and slightly higher medium pace of Josh Tongue, were now facing the fiery Mark Wood, who was touching 95 mph speeds.
This would lead to Mark Wood taking a terrific five-wicket haul as Australia were bowled out for 263, after once being 240/4 as England clawed back in the game after Mitchell Marsh’s thunderous counter-attacking century. Fans and experts also questioned as to why Ben Stokes bowled Wood only 9 overs in the first two sessions when he was in such a great rhythm and why he didn’t bowl more when Marsh was going gung-ho.
Nonetheless, Mark Wood was his fiery best today. He started the day by castling the in-form Khawaja. In the third session then, after Tea, he then returned to wipe out the lower-order batters so as England came back in the game after Tea. Mark Wood first knocked over Starc with a thunderbolt that hit the top of middle.
Then, he got rid of the Australian captain Cummins with a searing delivery. Such was the bite and zip and speed on the ball that meant Cummins didn’t even get his bat down as the ball thudded into his back pad. Cummins didn’t even need to consult the non-striker for a review because it was so plumb it was crashing into the middle sutmp.
Watch as Mark Wood’s pace didn’t allow Cummins to even bring his bat down:
So fast, Pat Cummins didn't even play a shot 🌪️
How good is Mark Wood? 🤯 #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/TSbeWSotfY
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 6, 2023
