06 July 2023 , 18:55
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Mark Wood rocked the Aussies with the fastest recorded delivery in a Test by an Englishman and warned: “I can go even faster.”
Five-star Wood sent the speed gun into meltdown with a 96.5mph rocket as he fired England back into the Ashes hunt with his best Test figures at home. On an explosive opening day, the Ashington Express took 5-34 at Headingley as England closed on 68-3 in reply to Australia's 263 all out in the must-win third LV=Insurance Test.
Wood's first spell, averaging 93mph, was the second-fastest since modern speed guns began to clock cricket's fast show. He returned to polish off the Aussies with a spell of 4-5 in 16 balls and said: “It's an incredible feeling to take five wickets in a home Test, and it was even more special that my mam and dad were to see me raise the ball.
“Before the game, (skipper) Ben Stokes was very clear he wanted me to bowl short, sharp spells and I don't want to get ahead of myself but there's more on the line. I think I've proved in the last couple of years that I can (go quicker), or at least that my average pace could be quicker.
“I was chomping at the bit, and there were a few nerves flying around, because my record isn't great in England and the thing that pleased me the most was that I managed to move the ball around. To be able to put good speed up there, as well as moving the ball, it feels like that's what got me the wickets.”
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Wood's mentor Steve Harmison, who once clocked 96.8mph in a one-day international in 2004, was among the sell-out crowd to watch another son of Ashington give the Aussies the hurry-up. Asked if he thought the magic 100mph mark was possible with a tailwind, Wood laughed: “No – it would have to be a bloody strong wind.
“But it's great that Harmy was here – I saw him in the stand and to be able to lean on him gave me a bit of a boost. He was texting me last night to wish me well and make sure I gave myself 10 seconds before I bowl.
England's Mark Wood celebrates with dismissing Australia captain Pat Cummins (Getty Images)“Obviously he's been in the pressure cooker of an Ashes and I haven't done that well in this country, so I've felt for a while I've had a point to prove here – all my good stuff has happened away from home.”
England were thwarted by four dropped catches and Aussie all-rounder Mitchell Marsh's brilliant, counter-attacking 118. It was Marsh's third Test century - all of them against England - in his first cap for four years.
He relished the bawdy atmosphere on the Western Terrace, saying: “I thought it was great, to be honest. Headingley crowds can get pretty loose but I would love to do a day in that stand - I would fit right in!
“My innings certainly wasn't premeditated – people talk about playing your natural game, but that's easier said than done in the Test cauldron.”