Ashes 2023: Mark Wood is a mix of Mitchell Johnson and Brett Lee in their prime, says Ricky Ponting

Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting feels Mark Wood is an amalgamation of Mitchell Johnson and Brett Lee in their prime. Wood, who was added to England’s playing XI for the third Test match, was able to make an instant impact in the game.

The gun fast bowler returned with impressive figures of 5-34 in the first innings and played a key role in skittling out Australia at 263. Subsequently, with England reeling in the first innings, Wood scored a lightning knock of 24 runs off just eight balls to give the hosts a much-needed impetus.

The right-arm pacer then snared two more wickets in the second innings. Wood also added the finishing touches to the target of 251 runs as he scored 16 runs from eight balls, and England went on to win by three wickets.

Meanwhile, more importantly, Wood breathed down the neck of the Australian batters with his extra pace, especially in the first innings.

“Wood is a bit like him (Johnson) and a bit like Brett Lee in his prime I reckon as well,” Ponting said in the latest episode of ICC Review.

“Bowling first change, bowling quickly, intimidating batsmen, getting a little bit of movement when it was there. He is just an absolute strike weapon,” he added.

Ponting added that it will be interesting to note if Wood stays fit for the next two Ashes Test matches. Wood played his first Test for England after a long gap of seven months and he wasn’t included in the opening two Test matches because of his fitness.

“I think the biggest challenge is getting him through the next couple of games. I know he said after Headingley that he got through I think three Test matches in a row in Australia in the last Ashes series and did it OK,” he said.

“The challenge for him is going to be if he keeps his pace at that sort of mid-90 miles an hour because they are like those guys that you know he is not overly tall, he is quite skiddy and when they are not at their absolute top pace-wise they can be quite easy to face,” Ponting further added.

Ponting went on to add that Wood was the difference between the two sides in the third Test match at Leeds, Headingley because of his extra pace. The fourth Ashes Test will be played at Old Trafford from 19th July onwards.