Veteran pace bowler Mark Wood starred with the ball for England during Day 1 of the ongoing third Ashes Test at Headingley, Leeds on Thursday (July 6). He finished with figures of 5-34 as Australia were bundled out for 263 in 60.4 overs. However, Wood made the difference with his stunning pace, cloaking 150+kmph consistently. He first dismissed Usman Khawaja, who did well for the visitors in the first two Tests and then the tail quickly as the opponents collapsed from 240-4 to 263 all-out within nine overs as well.

Following his exploits with the ball, Wood told Sky Sports: “I haven’t played a Test match in a while, but to be able to come back thoroughly fresh and produce that was pretty special. I was really happy that I could show that on home conditions, I can bowl as well. Amazing! Great feeling to get five wickets, first time in front of my Mom and Dad. So, that was a lovely moment to see them in the stand. The team is in a good position.”

However, Mark Wood has played 13 Tests at home and 15 away. It was only his second Test at home (Leeds), the last versus New Zealand in 2015 as well. He also applauded Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, whose century helped Australia put up a respectable score in their first innings.

“Tricky because somewhere around Australia where we felt a couple of wickets away all of a sudden, but I thought Mitchell Marsh played fantastically well.”He is difficult to bowl at that period. When the ball went from zip off the wicket, all of a sudden, it looked very different when he was in. We thought it hasn’t got that sort of zip. Once a new batter comes in, it’s tough again. So, if the lads can get in, it’s a par score. The outfield is rapid, rock hard. I think we can score quickly if the lads can get in,” he concluded.