Mark Wood ready to unleash "thunderbolts" in next Ashes test against Australia
Jul 11, 2023
Leeds [UK], July 11 : England's pacer Mark Wood made a great comeback in the third test of the Ashes at Headingley in Leeds. He was crowned Player of the Match for his all-round performance with bowling figure of 7-100 and scoring quick 40 off 16 balls.
Chris Woakes and Harry Brook put on an impressive display with the bat, supported by Mark Wood's crucial contribution in the final moments of the game, leading England to a thrilling 3-wicket victory over Australia on Day 4 of the third Test at Headingley Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Wood reflected back on his performance and said that he consistently worked on his bouncers in the practice session for two weeks.
"All I’ve done is practice bouncers for two weeks, I haven’t practised anything pitched up, that’s genuine," he said as quoted by cricket.com.au.
"'Colly' (Paul Collingwood, England assistant coach) has been slinging those yellow (rubber-based) balls. They sting but don’t hurt (and) you get used to playing the shot, getting in strong positions, and waiting as much as I can to do well," Wood added.
Wood revealed that his captain Ben Stokes had asked him to ball some 'thunderbolts' and the rest was history.
"Ben just asked me, 'Are you ready? Are you ready to bowl some thunderbolts?' I said yes and that was it," he said as per Sky Sports.
"He was ready to unleash me. I know him well and he knows me well. Having that relationship with someone makes it easier."
When asked about his preparedness for the fourth test at Emirates Old Trafford next Wednesday, he said, "Absolutely. Lightning strikes twice, eh?"
"I will speak to the physio, but I imagine I will bowl once or twice, do a couple of gym sessions, maybe some running, but it won't be too drastic. I have to let the body recover. This was my first game in a very, very long time, especially in Test cricket. I will let the body recover, get myself in a good space, let the wounds recover and get myself up for the next one," Wood added.
