‘Players you would love in your team’ - Justin Langer heaps massive praise on Mark Wood-Chris Woakes ahead of fourth Ashes Test

The Ashes 2023 have been full of ups and downs for both England and Australia. Hosting the marquee series, England lost the first two Tests at Edgbaston and Lord’s. However, they did not let the series slip out of their grasp, as they won the third Test in thrilling fashion after Harry Brook’s sensational knock in the second innings. 

With three matches being played in the Ashes 2023 so far, both sides will be keen on registering a win, as Australia will win the series with a victory and England will be levelling the series and pushing the series to the fifth Test.

In the forthcoming matches, the performances of pacers Mark Wood and Chris Woakes will be crucial for England. The Ben Stokes-led side will depend on the services of the two pacers to provide them with important breakthroughs. With the fourth Test scheduled to begin on July 19, every player will have plenty of time to rest, recover, and be fully fit for the much-anticipated encounter.

Former Australia head coach, Justin Langer was of a similar opinion. The 52-year-old, reflected on how important Wood and Woakes have been for England and even talked about Wood’s performance in the third Test, where he was named Player of the Match for his sensational spell.

"Before the game, I predicted he and Chris Woakes would ‘add great value to England, whose team looks very well balanced, for this Test.’ They both look like players you would love in your team. They play hard, but with a smile on their face, and they look like they would do anything for their team," Langer wrote in his column for The Telegraph.

I can’t remember seeing the ball hit the bat as hard as that for some time: Langer

Furthermore, the former Australia legendary batter, Justin Langer, mentioned that he was in awe of the England quick, Mark Wood. He revealed that he was astonished by the fact that the way his deliveries were hitting the bats of Aussie batters hard was a rare sight. Langer also pointed out that even though Wood may not have picked enough wickets in the second innings of the Test match, it eventually helped the hosts to keep up the pressure on the opponent and it led to other bowlers chipping in with wickets at crucial junctures. So it was baffling for the Australian legend to see Wood missing out on the first two Tests of the Ashes 2023 series.

"Wood’s pace was exciting to watch. I can’t remember seeing the ball hit the bat as hard as that for some time. He was rewarded with wickets in the first innings and while he only took two in the second innings, his lion-hearted pressure benefited his partners bowling at the other end. He was a worthy man of the match. Where has he been the first two Tests?" Langer concluded.