Mark Wood And Chris Woakes Could Hold Key To Ashes Success

Helping England record their first win of the 2023 Ashes series, Mark Wood And Chris Woakes were both instrumental in guiding the hosts over the line against Australia at Headingley.

With England looking to build on that victory in Leeds, it looks like the pair will have a big role to play in deciding the destination of the famous urn this summer.

Wood’s Pace Will Keep Aussie Order Up At Night

Capable of bowling at well over 90mph on a consistent basis, Wood’s pace bowling was terrifyingly fast time at times at Headingley. The Ashes odds have England at +400 to win the series after losing the first two Tests, before Wood helped spark a turnaround in the cricket odds in West Yorkshire. The 33-year-old was named player of the match at Headingley, in what ended up being a three-wicket win for the hosts in a thrilling contest that could have gone either way.

Wood has endured various injury problems this year, with his previous appearance before running out at Headingley coming last December against Pakistan. Keeping Wood fit and managing his workload will be key for head coach Brendon McCullum and skipper Ben Stokes for the remainder of the Ashes series. England are hoping to become the first side since 1936-37 to come from 2-0 down to claim the Ashes.

Wood himself has stated he’s confident he can remain fit for the rest of the series, which will come as bad news for the Australian batting order. Taking seven wickets over the course of the third Test at Headingley, Wood brought a pace to his bowling that the Baggy Greens really struggled to cope with. Much of the heavy lifting in the bowling department in the first two Tests was done by veterans James Anderson and Stuart Broad. However, Wood now offers an exciting alternative for the last two Tests at Old Trafford and The Oval.

Woakes Can Shine With Bat And Ball

Woakes also made a welcome return to the Test arena at Headingley after returning from a knee injury. A first Test appearance in 15 months, the 34-year-old impressed with his bowling but also with bat in hand. Woakes managed an unbeaten 32 and hit the winning runs to down the Australians in Leeds and bring England back from the brink in the Ashes series.

Woakes has claimed Australia will be feeling the pressure after allowing a chance to put the series to bed slip through their fingers at Headingley. England will be hoping the momentum is with them for the remainder of the campaign as they seek to win an Ashes series for the first time since 2015.

Woakes and Wood showed just what they are capable of with impressive performances in the third Test. After the high of that success in Leeds, the pair will be eager to produce more memorable moments to try and help England wrestle the urn back from Australia’s tight grip.