The fourth Ashes Test, which begins on July 19, will be played at Manchester’s Old Trafford Cricket Ground, and England fast Mark Wood believes he is prepared to unleash lightning against Australia. After losing the first two Tests, England won the third one at Headingley, keeping the Ashes in play.
After the English captain posed the same question, Wood claimed that he responded by telling Stokes that he was prepared to bowl quickly. Despite Mitchell Marsh’s valiant century (118), the visitors were bowled out for 263 in the first innings as a result of his amazing return to red-ball play after nearly two years since his last home Test and missing the first two matches. He had a game-high seven wickets and was honored as Player of the Match in England’s three-wicket victory.
“He (Stokes) just asked, ‘Are you ready? Are you ready to bowl some thunderbolts?’ I said yes, and that was it.” Mark Wood was quoted as saying by CRICKETMOOD.
Wood also stated that he will rest his body and get into a good space since he is playing red-ball cricket for the first time in a long time. He added that he had played four Tests in Australia and would draw on that experience to strive to do so again. He did, however, admit that the primary task is to heal fully before the upcoming Test in Manchester.
“Especially in Test cricket, this was my first game in a very, very long time. I’ll give my body time to heal, put myself in a healthy frame of mind, let the wounds mend, and then get ready for the next one.
“The last time I was in Australia, I took four [tests], and three of them were consecutive. It’s a large ask, but I’ve taken on bigger challenges before, so I’ll try to do it again with the help of that knowledge. I will consult with the physiotherapist, but I anticipate that I will bowl once or twice, work out in the gym a few times, and perhaps go for a run. The fast bowler continued, “I have to give my body time to heal.
I’m quite proud to claim that I can compete well with Australia. After bowling at extraordinary speeds and taking seven wickets in the third Test, Wood Wood showed great joy and said he was confident he could succeed against Australia in the final two games. He made 24 in the first inning of the third Test and added a critical 16* in the second to help England get across the finish line.
“Being able to say that I can do well against Australia makes me feel very proud. Look at Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins confronting each other. One, it’s challenging. It’s also really intimidating. They bowl quickly and with good bounce. They succeed more often than not. Fortunately, I was able to get through one out of 100 this time,” Wood continued.