"Bit Like Brett Lee In His Prime...:" Ricky Ponting Praises England Pacer

Australian cricketing great Ricky Ponting has heaped heavy praises on England pacer Mark Wood, who took a match-winning seven-wicket haul in third Ashes Test at Headingley, saying that he is a bit like Aussie pacer Mitchell Johnson and even Brett Lee "in his prime". Ponting has been left amazed by Wood's impact, which including a five-wicket haul in the first innings and a valuable total of 40 runs with the bat, laced with some quick fours and sixes.

Wood was backed by England to exploit his pace as much as possible, even at cost of leaking runs. The pacer justified England's faith in him with his match-winning performance at Headingley which saw England stay alive in series by 2-1.

Wood's ability to hit the 150 km/h mark consistently has caught the eyes of Ponting.

"Wood is a bit like him (Johnson) and a bit like Brett Lee in his prime I reckon as well," Ponting said as quoted by ICC in the latest episode of ICC Review.

"Bowling first change, bowling quickly, intimidating batsmen, getting a little bit of movement when it was there. He is just an absolute strike weapon," he added.

Ponting said that England have to use him in short, sharp spells to unsettle new batters at the crease. He also added that maintaining that same pace and fitness would be a challenge that both Wood and England will have to work their way around in the fourth Test.

"I think the biggest challenge is getting him through the next couple of games. I know he said after Headingley that he got through I think three Test matches in a row in Australia in the last Ashes series and did it OK," he said.

"The challenge for him is going to be if he keeps his pace at that sort of mid-90 miles an hour because they are like those guys that you know he is not