In the upcoming four rounds of this Ashes campaign, Mark Wood has urged England to get off the canvas and “throw some back” at Australia.
Although England’s hitters were responsible for allowing Australia to escape the ropes after leading by 105 with nine second-inning wickets remaining, Travis Head’s haymakers confirmed a two-day loss at the Optus Stadium. Mike Tyson’s statement that “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face” was brought to mind by Head’s 123 takedown, as an attack that had been unrelenting in their accuracy and intensity in the first inning was completely destroyed in the second.
England’s players were out and about before the game, but they were not very visible. Many stayed in their hotel rooms, as much to deal with the humiliating loss as to avoid a city full of optimistic Australians and dejected English tourists who were unsure of what to do with their free time. Wood, whose 38th Test cap was his first competitive appearance in nearly nine months following knee surgery in March, has challenged the team to battle to the end, even though there is still more reflection to come.
“We know this is one of five,” Wood said in an interview with Stuart Broad on the podcast on The Love Of Cricket. “We need to go back on what happened, acknowledge our disappointment, and acknowledge that we performed well in this game.
“Is it possible to include them in the remaining four games? This is one of five, not just one. Although we were severely beaten in the first round, we still have more rounds to try to bounce back.”
Wood acknowledged that, with the second Test at the Gabba still ten days away, he considered making the four-day drive from Perth to Brisbane. Before being persuaded differently, he even considered renting a camper van. “I did spoke to a native, and he told me that travelling across the country is really risky. Driving around the coast would be necessary. However, I did examine it.
Rather, on Wednesday, the 35-year-old will travel with most of the Ashes team on a less desirable aircraft. Only three players—Josh Tongue, Matthew Potts, and Jacob Bethell—will be included in the Prime Minister’s XI for the Lions when they depart for Canberra on Tuesday. Maintaining the group’s unity until the “shellshock” subsides has been the responsibility.
“When you have a loss like that, you want to stick together” stated Wood. “I believe that is crucial. Everyone at home will experience intense emotions when you get close, begin to believe in the squad, and feel disappointed. Nothing I say on a podcast will make listeners exclaim, “Oh, they figured it out, I feel better now.” The players are aware that it will hurt and should do so for a few days.
“It’s challenging, but what are your options? It’s not like we can get up and head to Brisbane; we’re stuck here. We’re stuck here, yet I think I would drive across the nation just to keep my mind going.”
Wood should be ready for the day-night Test again, as evidenced by the fact that he bowled just 11 overs in the match, bowling quickly throughout and hitting hitters, including Cameron Green, in the grille, but going wicketless for 44. During the previous Ashes trip, he participated in one of two pink-ball matches. He was the star of the match at Hobart, scoring nine runs and going 6 for 37 in the second innings.
Yes, the entire attack may be launched again. Snuffing the hosts out for 132 for what should have been a game-changing 40-run lead in the first innings gave ample of hope that an all-pace assault can succeed on Australian wickets, regardless of the ball’s colour, even though they were dominated by Head in the second.
“I firmly believe that we have 20 wickets. In these circumstances, the team is built to take 20 wickets,” Wood stated.
“[Brydon] Carse ran in often and bowled beautifully this game. He was always at people, and he made things happen. Despite not taking any wickets, Gus [Atkinson] batted hard and nibbled it around. I felt that we saw the best of Jofra [Archer], particularly during that first term.
“That game gives us a lot of confidence as a team. We are aware that it can zip about at night because it is a day-night test. It may become even more challenging if it can move quickly.
“That victory will give Australia confidence. Although I am aware that there is only one player who has performed exceptionally well, winning that kind of game as a team would help them. Can one of their batters play an innings like that? They’ll be more self-assured. We must fight fire with fire, return, and attempt to topple them once more.
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