Nasser Hussain has said that England have found a "gem" of a bowler in Mark Wood.
The 25-year-old made his Test debut in the series against New Zealand and impressed with his speed and accuracy against the Kiwis.
Wood has continued to fare well in his fledgling career at the start of The Ashes after taking the wicket of Australia opener Chris Rogers on the second day at Sophia Gardens.
Hussain wrote in the Daily Mail: "Usually when a bowler comes onto the international scene, he is not the finished product. But, in his brief England career so far, I've not seen Wood look out of his depth at all. New guys occasionally look like liabilities. Not Wood.
"He always seems ready from ball one, with just the right mix of attitude and ability. It was revealing that when Australia resumed after tea, Cook chose Wood ahead of Jimmy Anderson – despite the fact that Anderson has removed Michael Clarke nine times in Tests.
"Wood didn't get Clarke's wicket, but he did repay his captain by getting rid of Chris Rogers. He just looks like a livewire. England have discovered a gem."
Australia currently trail England by 166 runs with five first-innings wickets remaining ahead of day three of the first Test.
Simon Sinclair
