Mark Wood says he intends to keep firing ‘thunderbolts’ at Australia to stage Ashes comeback

Mark Wood plans to fire missiles at Australia and blast England to the biggest comeback in their Ashes history.

Wood made a thrilling introduction to this year’s series at Headingley with some of the fastest bowling in Test history and, just as importantly, big strokes which played a major part in England’s thrilling three-wicket victory.

With Australia’s lead cut to 2-1, Wood is set to launch another bombardment at Old Trafford next week and is confident in maintaining his fitness to play in both the Fourth and Fifth Tests .

Only once has a side come from a two-goal deficit to win an Ashes before and that was in 1936-37 when Don Bradman made two double hundredths and then 169 in Australia’s historic comeback victory.

“There will definitely be more lightning in Manchester,” said Wood, who peaked at 96.5 miles per hour on the first day at Headingley. ‘Lightning strikes twice, doesn’t it?

Wood (pictured) would later become the star of the Headingley Test, taking five wickets in his first innings with the ball and another two in the second.

He was also due to bat on Sunday to help England top Australia’s pursuit after Harry Brook was sacked

Wood’s attack came after Ben Stokes gave him simple instructions ahead of his first match since April, when he returned early from the IPL but missed the first two Tests of the Ashes as he was not 100 per cent fit.

“He just said, ‘Are you ready to throw some lightning bolts?'” Wood said. “I said yes and that was it. I know him well and he knows me well. He was ready to let go of me.’

What was less expected was Wood’s unleashing the batsman. He hit his first three balls from Mitchell Starc for six, four, six in a crucial passage of play on the second day, finishing with 24 from just eight balls.

Then, when the pressure was greatest on Sunday, Wood came in with England needing 21 runs after the demise of Harry Brook and equally attacked with what he calls his blade of justice, hitting an unbeaten 16, including a big hooked six from Pat. cumin.

The England fast bowler (left) has struggled with injuries in the past that have kept him out of the first two Tests

But Wood (right) believes he can rely on his past experience playing several Tests in a row in Australia, saying: ‘I feel like I could play two more’

He (left) teamed up with Chris Woakes (right) to take the scores to 2-1 in the series, with England able to stage the biggest comeback in the tournament’s history.

“That was amazing, one of the best feelings I’ve had,” Wood said in the wake of England’s victory. ‘That’s the first time I’ve been able to win a game for England with an at bat. All I’ve done is practice against bouncers for two weeks. You get used to playing the shot and getting into strong positions.

“It fills me with great pride to say I can do well against Australia. Look at Cummins and Starc facing each other. It’s really intimidating. More often than not they come out on top, but luckily this time it was the one in a hundred that got me through.”

The big question now is whether Wood’s fragile body can withstand the workload and strain he’s put under Headingley and again next Wednesday at Old Trafford and the final test at the Oval soon to follow.

“I feel like I could play two more,” Wood added. “I played four Tests last time in Australia and three of them were in a row. It’s a big question, but I’ve done it before and I’ll lean on that experience to try again.”