England will begin the second day of the third Ashes Test against Australia at Headingley on 3-68 — a deficit of 195 runs — with Joe Root on 19* and Jonny Bairstow on 1*.
And Australia’s bowlers will be out to emulate the brilliant feats of England paceman Mark Wood, who tore through the Aussie batting line-up with a five-wicket haul on the back of one of the fastest recorded spells of bowling in a Test in England.
The 33-year-old averaged 90.5 mph (145.6 kph) with figures of 5-34 in 11.4 overs. It was the fastest average speed in an Ashes innings since Brett Lee in 2005 – and he followed it up by promising to go even faster.
Often plagued with injuries, he blasted through the Aussie tail with 4-5 in 16 balls.
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Wood said: “I haven’t done that well in this country so there were a few nerves flying around. I’ve felt for a while I have a point to prove here, all my good stuff has happened away from home, so to be able to finally do it here was a massive relief.
“That first spell in particular, that’s as good as I’ve felt at home in an England shirt.”
Wood clocked a top speed of 96.5 mph (155.3km/h), but played down suggestions he might hit the magic 100 mph figure with a favourable tailwind.
“No, I don’t think so, it would have to be a bloody strong wind,” he joked.
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But there is one big worry for the Australians, who were rattled by Wood’s express pace.
“I think the last couple of years has proved I can go quicker,” Wood said.
So long as he stays fit, that is. Wood was fit for the opening Test but was left out of the side, and a minor elbow complaint scrubbed him out of the second Test at Lord’s, the latest in a long line of injuries.
For now, it’s up to the Australian bowlers to hit back – including Mitch Marsh, who added to his impressive 118 runs by picking up the wicket of Zak Crawley.
After 13 wickets fell on the opening day, Australia will be hoping that trend continues for the visitors to defend their relatively modest total of 263.
‘I HID THAT IN THE ROOMS’
While Wood was England’s hero, he had to share top honours on day one with Australia’s Mitch Marsh who, playing his first Test in four years, scored a crucial century at around a run-a-ball.
Once heavily maligned by the Australian public, Marsh has now sealed himself as a fan favourite, with his humility and down-to-earth persona playing no small part.
Speaking to Bharat Sundaresan on SEN after play, Marsh opened up on his shock re-call for the injured Cameron Green, with his response sure to endear himself to the Australian public further.
“It was a very special day,” he told Sundaresan.
“I was a bit emotional this morning. Obviously I hid that in the change rooms.
“Sometimes you take the long road throughout your career. I’ve hung on and hung on to try get another opportunity to play in this group.
“I’ve still felt part of the squad even though I haven’t added to my match tally. I think that’s testament to this group.”
Speaking of his emotions at the moment he was told he’d play, he said: “Excitement. A lot of nerves. A lot of questions. ‘How am I going to go? It’s been so long.’
“But I’ve worked really hard to get ot the point where I can walk out with my chest out and confident in my ability.”
TEAMS
England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood
Australia XI: Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Todd Murphy
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