For the first time this year, England pacer Mark Wood is playing a Test match. His last Test match was in Pakistan last December. Since then, he didn’t play the two Tests against New Zealand early this year. The 2019 World Cup winner sustained an elbow injury and didn’t even play for his county in the ongoing summer. Meanwhile, the right-arm pacer has replaced James Anderson.
The latter has picked only three wickets in the ongoing series so far. With England needing to win at any cost to keep the series alive, they have some serious changes. They have brought in Chris Woakes, Mark Wood and Moeen Ali. Ollie Pope got injured and has been ruled out of the summer. Notably, England skipper Ben Stokes said Wood replacing Anderson doesn’t mean that will be the end of the road.
“We were very open and honest, and clear with each other before the series started, that it’s going to be very tough ask to ask all the bowlers to play every game this summer,” Stokes said. “It’s a good chance for Jimmy to have a rest up and then get ready to charge in from the Jimmy Anderson End at Old Trafford next week. But it’s great to have Woody fit. He’s firing and really ready to go this week, and we’re looking forward to seeing him get going.”
England: 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Harry Brook, 4 Joe Root, 5 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 6 Ben Stokes (capt), 7 Moeen Ali, 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Ollie Robinson, 10 Stuart Broad, 11 Mark Wood
Mark Wood cleans up Usman Khawaja
The return of Wood has been proving fruitful for the team so far. After winning the toss, the Three Lions elected to bowl first. They have had a great start as Aussies are languishing at 91/4 before the Lunch break was taken. Wood first removed Khawaja, who has been the highest run-getter for the team.
This is how Twitter reacted
Mark Wood in his first 4 overs:
0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2, W (Khawaja). pic.twitter.com/GJaQ6ieID0
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 6, 2023
A 152kmph cherry from Mark Wood to dismantle Usman Khawaja's stumps.
What a ball! pic.twitter.com/YuGCzXdR94
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 6, 2023
Mark Wood should have been in England’s playing XI from the first Test. His express speed makes a difference to the attack
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) July 6, 2023
Mark Wood ? ? #Ashes2023
— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) July 6, 2023
Pace is pace, yaar ???
Mark Wood with a 96MPH/155KPH thunderbolt ??? #Ashespic.twitter.com/7EwMq9ksag
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) July 6, 2023
A jaffa from Mark Wood. pic.twitter.com/vJUhLPrzCn
— Nawaz ?? (@Rnawaz31888) July 6, 2023
Mark Wood’s first 3 balls back:
91mph, 93mph, 95mph ???#Ashes pic.twitter.com/tOFSN27BwD
— England's Barmy Army ???????? (@TheBarmyArmy) July 6, 2023
Mark Wood ? #Ashes pic.twitter.com/w0Bf4nmG9B
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) July 6, 2023
Mark Wood breathing fire in Ashes.
Brutal from Mark Wood. pic.twitter.com/rCq8oiLEJW
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) July 6, 2023
Australia's seamers to Mark Wood: pic.twitter.com/R9cVYADy8k
— Ben Gardner (@Ben_Wisden) July 6, 2023
