Stokes hails ‘special talent’ Wood as England start Ashes fightback
Stokes paid tribute to Wood and Chris Woakes after the pair, ignored of the primary two Tests of the collection, returned to the aspect to play very important fingers in a three-wicket win that halves England’s series deficit to 2-1.
Wood took five-for-34 in a sensational first innings show, touching speeds of 96.5mph, whereas Woakes completed with six wickets throughout the match earlier than the pair mixed with bat in hand to see England house in a chase of 251 on day 4.
“Woakes, being out of the team for such a long period of time to come back in and perform the way that he did with both bat and ball [was great],” Stokes mentioned. “Seeing Woody running in like he does, big smile on his face and enjoying every moment out there was great.
“He just loves playing for England, and playing cricket full stop. Whenever he has the ball in his hand, he will give everything he can, whether he’s fresh, tired, coming back for a fourth spell of the day, he will just keep running in and running in.
“Even with the bat, he is willing to take it on. Having players like that is great, not only for me but for the team. He brings energy, excitement.
“He has a very special gift and talent, I’m not sure how because he’s about four stone wet through. He’s a special talent and we are lucky to have him.”
The seam duo got here again into the aspect as a part of three modifications to the XI that performed within the defeat at Lord’s final week, with spinner Moeen Ali additionally again within the crew.
Despite the Headingley floor providing little in the best way of flip, Moeen prized the important thing wickets of Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith in Australia’s second innings.
“I said before the series started that we decided to go with Mo back into the squad because of the impact he can have on games,” Stokes mentioned.
“I’ve played a lot of games with him and I know the impact he can have on his best days. You look at that little spell yesterday of 15 minutes when he took the wickets of Marnus [Labuschagne] and Steve [Smith] and that was a huge point in the game and that’s like Mo as a cricketer.
“You bring him into the team and you want him to be impactful with the ball and the bat and he certainly was with the ball this game.”
The all-rounder additionally shuffled up the order to bat at No3 in England’s chase, and whereas he was bowled for 5, the transfer allowed Harry Brook to return to his most well-liked slot at 5, from the place he struck the 75 that anchored England’s pursuit.
“It was him really, it was Mo [with the idea],” Stokes revealed. “He came to [Brendon McCullum] last night and said ‘I want to go at three, I want to take the Aussies on in this run chase’.
“When we thought about it, we actually thought that him coming in at three, he was able to impact the game more than he would be at number seven.
“When I took the role on I asked for ten other selfless cricketers, and that little moment of Mo going to Baz and saying ‘I want the opportunity’ is everything that we’re about as a team.”