Watch! Mark Wood’s dismissal of Usman Khawaja sends fans into frenzy

England and Australia got down to business to play the 3rd test match at the famous Headingly ground at Leeds. The Australians came into the game after having won the previous two tests at Edgbaston and Lords. The win at Lords was soured due to the controversy surrounding the dismissal of Jonny Bairstow. If Australia win the 3rd test match they would take an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the series. This would also be their 1st ashes win in England since 2001.

The story so far –

Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bowl first. The last time the two teams played a game here, Ben Stokes century helped England to a 1 wicket win. Both the teams made three changes each. James Anderson, Ollie Pope and Josh Tongue made way for Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood. Australia replaced Hazlewood, Green and Lyon with Boland, Marsh and Murphy.

Usman Khawaja’s leg stump sent flying –

The biggest difference in the two teams was the extra bit of pace that Australia had in their bowling. With Archer injured, the onus fell on Mark Wood to make the Australians feel uncomfortable with his pace bowling.

The last ball of the 13th over saw Mark Wood bowl to Khawaja who was in fine form with the bat this tour. The ball was clocked at 95 Miles Per Hour, as Wood got one to sneak past the defenses of the Australian batter who lost his leg stump to get the crowd going.

Australia lose four wickets before lunch –

Stuart Broad got an instant reward as he had David Warner out for 4 in the 1st over of the game. Warner was out to Broad for the 16th time in his career. Post the fall of Khawaja for 13, Australia lost their star number 3. Labuschagne was out for 21 when he was caught by Root off Chris Woakes. The biggest wicket came in the form of Steve Smith who was playing his 100th test. Smith was out 22 off 31 balls when he edged one behind to Bairstow off Broad. At Lunch, Australia were 91/4 with Head and Marsh batting together.

Twitter reacts –

Cricket fans took to Twitter to have their say on the wicket of Khawaja and you can read all the reactions from the fans below.

Proper heat from Mark Wood. Outstanding bowling. Picking up where he left off from his last Ashes Test, at Hobart where he had Australia jumping around all over the place.#Ashes

— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) July 6, 2023

Mark Wood really is defintion of lightening quick. Nothing more satisfying than seeing an aussie batsmen in the form of his life having his stumps skittled out the ground #TheAshes2023

— JDTV (@JD_TV_) July 6, 2023

Absolute jaffa that from Mark Wood. Great to see a pitch finally with a bit of pace and bounce after the boring tracks that have been served up so far. Game on! #ashes

— brad davidson (@braddavo) July 6, 2023

Is there a better sight in sport than Australian stumps flying through the air? No, no there isn’t. Well bowled Mark Wood! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 #Ashes23

— Helen the Zen 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 💙 (@helenmallam) July 6, 2023