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England quick Mark Wood had to wait until England were 2-0 down in the Ashes before entering the series, but made an immediate impact on his return.

If only England had picked Mark Wood sooner.

The fastest bowler in England and the man who previously impressed Australia the most took 5-34 on the opening day of the Headingley Test.

He played a big part in bowling Australia out for 263, giving England the chance to build a big first-innings lead in the series.

England must now hope Wood's speed has not come too late.

Down 2-0, the hosts have to make history to win a series from that deficit for the first time.

Twice, prior to Thursday, Australia had been preparing to face Wood before being surprised in the days leading up to the Tests.

For the first match at Edgbaston, England preferred James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson.

Then at Lord's it was Wood's elbow that was the concern, put on ice amid concerns he may not be able to get through the full match.

On Thursday, the right-armer showed precisely why Australia had been bracing for his speed.

Every ball in his first spell was over 145km/h, rushing Marnus Labuschagne throughout with three straight maidens and then bowling Usman Khawaja.

He then returned to take 4-4 in 14 balls to clean up the tail, with Australia now searching for a way to handle him in the second innings at Headingley and the remainder of the series.

It was clear at Lord's that Australia had the advantage in air speed across all their quicks.

But with Wood in England's side, that advantage has been curtailed.

Wood, however, said he was not frustrated at having to wait until 2-0 down in the series to try and save England.

"It's not frustrating. It's just the way it is," he said.

"I'd love to have played earlier but I can't help that. I was fit for the first game but the team selection went the other way, that's sport and I can accept that.

"Second game I was in the mix but me and the captain felt I wasn't there, so I'm not frustrated, it's just the way that it was.

"The only thing I can do now is try to contribute to the rest."

Wood's bowling on Thursday was also the fastest recorded average speed across a day in the country since Brett Lee in the 2005 Ashes, according to analysts CricViz.

The 33-year-old averaged 145.62km/h while reaching a speed of 155km in his second over with an outswinger to Labuschagne.

He believes he can bowl even faster.

"To even be amongst (Brett Lee's speeds) is a great feeling," Wood said.

"When I was growing up you look up to these players and you think they're amazing, you'd love to emulate them.

"So to be able to put my speeds against his is a great feeling. But hopefully I can get closer to his wickets column because he's a top bowler."