Mark Wood says he intends to keep firing ‘thunderbolts’ at Australia to stage Ashes comeback

Mark Wood intends to keep on firing rockets at Australia and blast England to the greatest comeback in their Ashes history.

Wood made an electrifying introduction to this year’s series at Headingley with some of the fastest bowling in Test history and, just as importantly, big-hitting that played a huge part in England’s thrilling three-wicket win.

Now, with Australia’s lead cut back to 2-1, Wood plans to launch another bombardment at Old Trafford next week and is confident of retaining his fitness to be able to play in both the fourth and fifth Tests.

Only once have any side come back from being two down to win an Ashes before and that was in 1936-37 when Don Bradman made two double hundreds and then 169 in Australia’s historic comeback victory.

‘Absolutely there will be more thunderbolts in Manchester,’ said Wood, who peaked at 96.5 miles per hour on the first day at Headingley. ‘Lightning strikes twice, doesn’t it? 

Mark Wood (right) has revealed that Ben Stokes (left) had asked him ‘if he was ready to bowl some thunderbolts at Australia’ to which he replied ‘yes’

Wood (pictured) would go on to be the star of the Headingley test, taking five wickets in his first innings with the ball and another two in the second

He would also come in to bat on Sunday to help England surpass Australia’s run chase, after Harry Brook was dismissed 

Wood’s assault came after Ben Stokes had given him simple instructions for his first game since April when he returned early from the IPL but missed the first two Tests of the Ashes because he was not a hundred per cent fit.

‘He just said “are you ready to bowl some thunderbolts?”’ said Wood. ‘I said yes and that was it. I know him well and he knows me well. He was ready to unleash me.’

What was less expected was the unleashing of Wood the batsman. He smashed his first three balls off Mitchell Starc for six, four, six in a crucial passage of play on the second day and ended up with 24 off just eight balls.

Then, when the pressure was at its most intense on Sunday, Wood came in with England needing 21 runs after Harry Brook’s demise and was equally attacking with what he calls his ‘blade of justice’ hitting an unbeaten 16 including a big hooked six off Pat Cummins.

The England fast bowler (left) has struggled with injuries in the past that saw him omitted from the first two Tests

But Wood (right) believes that he can rely on his previous experiences of playing several Tests in a row in Australia, and said ‘I feel I could play two more’ 

He (left) partnered with Chris Woakes (right) to help bring the scores to 2-1 in the series with England able to stage the greatest comeback in the history of the tournament

‘That was amazing, one of the best feelings I’ve had,’ said Wood in the aftermath of England’s victory. ‘That’s the first time I’ve been able to bat to win a game for England. All I’ve done is practice against bouncers for two weeks. You get used to playing the shot and getting into strong positions.

‘It fills me with great pride to say I can do well against Australia. Look at facing Cummins and Starc. It’s really intimidating. More often than not they come out on top but luckily this time was the one out of a hundred when I’ve managed to get through.’

The big question now is whether Wood’s fragile body can withstand the workload and strain he put it under at Headingley and go again both at Old Trafford next Wednesday and the final Test at the Oval that quickly follows.

‘I feel I could play two more,’ added Wood. ‘I did play four Tests last time in Australia 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.’