England speedster Mark Wood dismantled the Australian batting lineup during his comeback match on the first day of the 3rd Ashes Test at the Headingley on Thursday. He kickstarted his day by rattling Usman Khawaja’s leg stump and continued his lethal spell, taking the wickets of Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Todd Murphy to restrict Australia to 263. The speedster ended his spell with figures of 5-34.
Wood has played 13 Test matches at home and 15 games away and this was just his second Test match at home. Post his remarkable bowling, Wood was elated on his England return after being benched for the first two Ashes Tests.
“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”, he added.
Earlier, Mitchell Marsh of Australia exploited English fielders as he smashed a century and changed the course of the game on the first day of the third Ashes test at Headingley. Riding on Marsh’s batting, Australia ended up scoring 240-4 before tea. Australian all-rounder showed full aggression during his 118 runs knock, including 17 fours and four sixes. England got rid of Marsh in the last over before the break.
Notably, Marsh also built a crucial 155-run partnership with Travis Head and helped the visitors recover from 85-4. In reply, England batters were 68/3 at stumps on Day 1, with Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root at the crease. Australian skipper Pat Cummins dismissed Ben Duckett and Harry Brook for single-digit scores.