McCullum Sends Mark Wood Ashes Warning: ‘He’s Ready To Release Thunderbolts’

In what’s set to come as a huge boost for England ahead of the Ashes Down Under later this year, head coach Brendon McCullum has confirmed that ace speedster Mark Wood will be fit and firing for the five-Test series, and will be ready to ‘release thunderbolts’.

Wood has played no cricket since the Champions Trophy this year due to a knee injury, and it was over a year back that he played his last Test match. However, the 35-year-old looks primed to make a sensational comeback in The Ashes, where his pace will be key for the visitors to trouble the Kangaroos.

"He [Wood] is progressing. We've taken things pretty carefully, and he's had a couple of minor setbacks throughout,” McCullum told Sky Sports.

"The work he's put in, the constant rehab he's had to do over his career, yet the thirst and enthusiasm to represent his country is undoubted.

"We know when he's at his best he terrifies opposition batters and can be a match-winner in a blink of an eye.

"We're very confident we'll have him fit and ready for the Ashes, ready to release thunderbolts."

Skipper Ben Stokes is also dealing with a shoulder injury - which made him sit out the fifth Test against India - but McCullum was confident of the all-rounder fully recovering in time for the blockbuster series.

"Stokes is progressing well," McCullum said.

"Everyone knows Stokes' thirst for hard work and his enthusiasm to captain England, to lead the team down to Australia for the challenge that awaits.

"I anticipate that he'll be fully fit and ready to go in that series; he's progressing well and he's excited about what's ahead."

Speaking about the challenge of going to Australia, a country where England have not won a single Test in 15 years, McCullum admitted that his side will be challenged, but labeled the forthcoming series as an ‘unbelievable opportunity’ to do something special.

"We've got a united side and a team that is able to handle situations and pressure, and is able to block out the outside noise,” the England head coach said.

"It doesn't guarantee you success, and there will be times over those couple of months where we will be challenged.

"It's now about how we handle the pressure and those moments when the light is at its brightest.

"What an opportunity that is - an unbelievable opportunity - and it's going to be a cracking series.

"We know Australia are a very good cricket team and it's an incredibly difficult country to tour. We're going to be tested but the prize at the end is worth the fight." 

The 2025/26 Ashes will start from November 21 in Perth.