After having a rollicking Day 1 of the third Ashes 2023 Test, at Headingley, England’s Mark Wood had some fun with the bat on Day 2 as he cracked 3 sixes to Australia’s fiery pacers Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, contributing 24 crucial runs to England’s first innings total of 237, off just 8 balls.
Late on Day 1, Wood had been padded up to be sent in as a nightwatchman if the need arose. It didn’t.
He had his pads up again on Day 2 and in the second session he was needed by England to go in the middle and give some support to skipper Ben Stokes, who was once again fighting a lone battle in front of Australia’s first innings total of 263.
Mark Wood came in at number 9 with the total at 142/7 and England in a dire state, on the verge of losing an home Ashes series. With thinking much, Wood, who had taken a five-wicket haul on Day 1, swung for the fences as Australian bowlers’ short ball ploy was clear.
Mark Wood came out to bat with the clear Bazball intent in mind. Perhaps he felt he wouldn’t survive much against the bouncer barrage of Starc and Pat Cummins and hence it was better to swing for the boundary, and he could lucky a few times. Yes, he got lucky a few times.
His first ball of the match, he pulled Starc for a six over deep mid-wicket. On the second, he slashed Starc for four to deep third man. On the third, Wood again rocked back and pulled Starc for a maximum. In the next over, he took down Cummins for another thunderous pull shot for a six.
The fun came to an end a couple of balls later as Wood skied another pull shot up in the air and Marsh took a safe catch.
This ended Mark Wood entertaining knock of 24 runs off 8 balls.
Here, watch this scintillating innings as Mark Wood took down Starc and Cummins:
A thrilling cameo from Woody 🚀
2️⃣4️⃣ from just 8️⃣ balls! #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/9J4rOCAcrK
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 7, 2023
