Ashes 2023: Australia will not want Mark Wood to play these last two games – Ben Duckett

England opener Ben Duckett feels Australia will not want Mark Wood to be part of the hosts’ playing XI for the last two remaining Ashes Tests. Wood made an instant impact in the third Test match at Leeds, Headingley, which England won by three wickets.

The gun fast bowler returned with impressive figures of 5-34 in the first innings and played a key role in bundling out Australia for 263. Wood also bagged two wickets in the second innings.

Furthermore, Wood played crucial cameos of 24 and 16 in each of the innings to play an instrumental in his team’s triumph. Ergo, he was awarded Player of the Match for his all-round performance.

Wood was able to breathe down the neck of the Australian batters with his extra pace, especially in the first innings.

“I also know for a fact Australia will not want Woody to play these last two games. It’s so weird; how does he bowl so fast? He’s not a big bloke, it’s just arm-speed, I guess. He’s so skiddy and always at you, so I’m very happy he’s on my team. And it’s not just with the ball, the way he took them on with the bat was gamechanging,” Ben Duckett said while speaking to the Guardian.

The left-hander added that Australia has played the series in the right spirit and hailed the opposition’s skipper, Pat Cummins, for leading from the front.

“My view on the Australian team is that they’re a very, very good team. But they’re a bunch of nice guys. Pat Cummins seems like one of the nicest blokes in cricket. If I bowled 90mph like him I’d give the batter a lot more chat. But it doesn’t feel like they’re trying to intimidate anyone out there, they’re just focusing on their skills. It’s nice.”

Duckett added he is trying to give his best to the team and give them solid starts at the top of the order.

“Two years ago, some of the shots I play would have been unacceptable. It’s amazing what you can do when you take away the fear of failure. That’s the biggest thing, I’m not trying to make people think I’m England’s best ever opener, I’ll stick to what I do and will have a hell of a better chance than if I try to be something I’m not.”

Duckett has thus far scored 237 runs in three Test matches of the series at an average of 39.50. The fourth Ashes Test will be played at Old Trafford from 19th July onwards.