Mark Wood has warned Australia he can bowl even quicker after his lightning spell that shook the tourists at Headingley.
The Durham seamer sent down deliveries touching 97mph on the first day of the third Ashes Test in Leeds as he made his first appearance of the series. Wood missed the Edgbaston and Lord’s clashes with an elbow injury.
The extra pace made a difference with Wood taking his fifth Test five-wicket haul. His fourth over was the second-quickest on record in England and included a 94.6mph peach to dismiss Australian opener Usman Khawaja.
Wood, who also has the top spot on that list, told PA: “It’s disappointing that this one wasn’t the first. To have two of them is great but I keep wanting to get better and push, push, push, to make sure I can bowl even faster.”
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Australia were 263 all out with Wood finishing with figures of five for 34 from 11.4 overs. England made it to 68-3 in reply at the close of play on day one.
Wood added: “It’s an incredible feeling. My mum and dad were here and to be able to raise the ball to them, it was the first time they’ve seen me get five wickets, was a pretty special moment.
“I was chomping at the bit a couple of games ago, so to finally get in now, I’m really, really happy. (Bowling quickly) just feels like you’ve got all this energy surging and you’re about to let it fly.
“When I was growing up you look up to players (such as Lee) and you think they’re amazing, you’d love to emulate them, so to be able to put my speeds against his is a great feeling.”
Wood revealed he was given advice by former England Ashes winner Steve Harmison prior to the match, saying: “He was texting me last night and wishing me well and making sure I gave myself 10 seconds before I bowl and a few pointers and a few tips.
“He’s been in the pressure cooker of an Ashes. My record isn’t great in England and the thing I was most pleased about was that I managed to move the ball. I feel like that’s what got me the wickets.
“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 at home was a massive relief.”
