Watch: Mark Wood was at his lethal best in the second innings of the Old Trafford Ashes Test, dismissing Travis Head with a short ball to pick up his third wicket in just six overs.
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Head’s struggles against the short ball continued when he was out fending a 91mph (146kmph) round-the-wicket delivery from Wood on Friday (July 21). Trailing by 275, Australia did not get off to the greatest start, as they slipped to 97-3 when Head walked out. The left-hander could not make much of an impact and departed on the seventh ball that he faced, making one.
He was caught in two minds when Wood bowled quick and short, only managing to dangle his bat awkwardly in the air as the ball came into him. He looked to fend it away but took his eyes off the ball, as it caught his edge and lobbed up towards gully, where Ben Duckett took an easy catch.
It was Wood’s second wicket in three overs, and his third of the innings, having also dismissed Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith, as Australia slipped to 108-4 in 36.1 overs.
Watch Mark Wood dismissing Head:
Travis Head is completely bamboozled by the pace and bounce of Mark Wood! 🌪️
Four down. Six to go. #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/9d2B9U1Ewp
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 21, 2023