Ashes 2023 | Twitter in disbelief as lightning quick Mark Wood scalps Usman Khawaja with unplayable delivery
Nothing quite excites a crowd in cricket like an express quick rattling world-class batters on the crease through sheer pace. Headingley was at its loudest on Thursday when Mark Wood took the ball in hand and the English speedster took little time to get rid of the in-form Usman Khawaja.
England dispelled all doubts over their decision to bowl first in the third Ashes Test on Thursday as a display of some quality bowling on a flat-looking pitch brought them two early dismissals to restrict Australia to 47/2 at the end of 14 overs. While the batsmen from Down Under looked fairly comfortable in Leeds following David Warner's departure, the introduction of Mark Wood into the attack quickly had them on the back foot and the 33-year-old finally broke through with the scalp of on-song Usman Khawaja in his fourth over.
The right-arm quick, playing his first match of the series, started off with three maidens as both Marnus Labuschagne and Khawaja struggled for timing. The crowd in Leeds echoed with loud gasps and cheers every time the speedometer went up on the big screen as Wood exceeded speeds of 155 kmh. The pacer persisted with short-length deliveries for the majority of his spell despite extracting hints of late swing and even though a wicket seemed a matter of time, Wood finally conceded the first runs off the bat on the fourth delivery of his fourth over. However, Khawaja's growing confidence was short-lived as the very next delivery was pitched full on leg stump and angling away, provoking the batter to attempt a drive. The Dukes ball jagged in just a bit, but the 152 kmh pace meant it was enough to sneak in between bat-pad and send the stumps flying.
Twitter was left in awe of the sheer dominance exhibited by Wood, the like of which was missing from the series so far, with the wicket of Khawaja a cherry on the top.
Too quick
It's full and straight and far too quick for Usman Khawaja 🌪️
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 6, 2023
Australia are 2 down and Mark Wood is on fire! 🔥 #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/y5MAB1rWxd
Proper heat
Proper heat from Mark Wood. Outstanding bowling. Picking up where he left off from his last Ashes Test, at Hobart where he had Australia jumping around all over the place.#Ashes
— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) July 6, 2023
Gone!
WOOD you believe it !!!!!!!!!!!!!
— 🐦Pigeon🐎Island🐦 (@pigeon_island) July 6, 2023
GONE! Mark Wood steaming in bowls Khawaja at 95mph!#Ashes23
Correct
Mark Wood really is defintion of lightening quick. Nothing more satisfying than seeing an aussie batsmen in the form of his life having his stumps skittled out the ground #TheAshes2023
— JDTV (@JD_TV_) July 6, 2023
Absolute Mayhem
Absolute jaffa that from Mark Wood. Great to see a pitch finally with a bit of pace and bounce after the boring tracks that have been served up so far. Game on! #ashes
— brad davidson (@braddavo) July 6, 2023
Nope
Is there a better sight in sport than Australian stumps flying through the air? No, no there isn’t. Well bowled Mark Wood! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 #Ashes23
— Helen the Zen 🏴 💙 (@helenmallam) July 6, 2023
True
What a difference having an Out and Out pace bowler in your attack! Not be allowed to settle and then mops up his stumps, Simply 👌 #MarkWood #Ashes2023
— Si Garnett (@supersi666) July 6, 2023
Lovely
Mark Wood smashing the Aussies all over the place 🔥
— Darwinism (@DoseofDarwin) July 6, 2023
He is insane
Mark Wood is insane😭😭😭
— Mustafa.J (@Mustafa_j18) July 6, 2023
Rockets!
Mark wood is firing absolute rockets at the aussies, what a wicket that is. Khawaja couldn't do a thing about it. #TheAshes #ENGvsAUS
— Matty Hayward (@MattyHC5) July 6, 2023