England's Mark Wood aims to prove 'lightning strikes twice' after Ashes heroics at Headingley

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England fast bowler Mark Wood is aiming to back up his heroic performance at Headingley in the fourth Ashes Test. </p>

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Wood marked his return to Ashes cricket with a stirring player-of-the-match showing in Leeds, taking match figures of seven for 100 and hitting 40 vital runs from just 16 deliveries. </p>

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His efforts helped change the tone of the series, getting England on the board after back-to-back defeats and leaving the path open for the hosts to reclaim the urn against all odds. </p>

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Wood's raw pace provided an X-factor that had been absent at Edgbaston and Lord's, with his first ball of the match doubling up as England's fastest of the summer. </p>

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He continued cranking it up in his first red-ball outing for seven months, at one stage reaching 96.5mph during a ferocious opening spell, and Australia's batting looked entirely less assured due to his mere presence on the park. </p>

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Wood revealed his England captain and Durham team-mate Ben Stokes had given him one simple instruction when he let him loose. </p>

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"Ben just asked me, 'Are you ready? Are you ready to bowl some thunderbolts?' I said yes and that was it," he said. </p>

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"He was ready to unleash me. I know him well and he knows me well. Having that relationship with someone makes it easier." </p>

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Asked if he was ready to dish out more of the same at Old Trafford next Wednesday, Wood replied with a grin: "Absolutely. Lightning strikes twice, eh?" </p>

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Wood is arguably the most consistently fast bowler ever to play for England, a crown he likely lacks only due to the absence of accurate historical data. </p>

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But the sheer physical exertion the 33-year-old puts himself through means he has had to endure long spells out of the side. </p>

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Since debuting in 2015 he has played just 29 of England's 109 Tests, missing many of those through injury, yet Wood has set his sights on finishing strongly this summer. </p>

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There are just three days between the fourth and fifth games of the series, but, with a week to get himself ready, he fully intends to be on parade for both. </p>

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"I did four in Australia last time and three of them were in a row. It's a big ask, but one I've done before and I will lean on that experience to try to do it again," he said. </p>

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"I will speak to the physio, but I imagine I will bowl once or twice, do a couple of gym sessions, maybe some running, but it won't be too drastic. I have to let the body recover. </p>

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"This was my first game in a very, very long time, especially in Test cricket. I will let the body recover, get myself in a good space, let the wounds recover and get myself up for the next one." </p>

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Wood wears his heart on his sleeve on and off the field and could not hide his satisfaction at taking up a starring role midway through a contest that has captured the imagination of the public. </p>

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"It fills me with great pride to say I can do well against Australia. It's challenging because they are a top, top side," he said. </p>

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"It's one of the best feelings I've had. Look at facing Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. One, it's not easy. Two, it's really intimidating. </p>

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"They're bowling fast, they get good bounce and more often than not they come out on top. Luckily this time it's the one out of 100 I've managed to get through. </p>

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"The 2005 Ashes was the absolute pinnacle for me - I was at a great age, a teenager, and my hometown hero (Steve Harmison) was playing. </p>

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"I don't feel like it's to that magnitude, but it's great to have the support, which has been amazing everywhere we've been. </p>

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"You feel it on the street walking around, people messaging you. It's amazing as a nation that we can carry this weight of support with us." </p>

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<p>The article <a href="https://www.planetsport.com/cricket/news/englands-mark-wood-aims-prove-lightning-strikes-twice-after-ashes-heroics-headingley">England's Mark Wood aims to prove 'lightning strikes twice' after Ashes heroics at Headingley </a> appeared first on Planetsport.com.</p>