England captain Ben Stokes is confident that Mark Wood has the potential to become the first bowler to exceed 100mph (161km/h) in a Test match, following his impressive performance at Trent Bridge.
During the second Test against the West Indies, Wood reached a top speed of 97.1mph, contributing significantly to England’s 241-run victory. This win secured an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with the final Test scheduled to begin at Edgbaston later this week.
Although Wood claimed only two wickets in the match, his blistering pace had a notable impact, aiding the success of his team-mates, particularly off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, who took 5-41 in the second innings to clinch England’s first series win since 2002.
Wood also made a direct impact by injuring West Indian player Kevin Sinclair with a quick bouncer, leading to changes in the West Indies’ lineup for the third Test.
Mitchell Starc of Australia currently holds the record for the fastest delivery in Test cricket at 99.6mph, achieved against New Zealand in 2015. However, Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar holds the overall international record with a delivery clocked at 100.2mph against England in 2003. Earlier generations of fast bowlers also delivered speeds that were not always accurately measured.
Stokes acknowledged Wood’s potential to break the 100mph barrier but noted, “I don’t know if he’s actually too bothered about it.” He praised Wood’s consistency, stating, “Being able to sustain that pace is quite phenomenal.”
Reflecting on Wood’s performance, Stokes emphasized, “His average speed in every Test match is always above 90mph. It’s impressive to see him consistently bowl at such speeds.”
Stokes also highlighted Wood’s determination and impact on the game, saying, “You have to hold your hands up and celebrate what we have there. He has the heart of a lion, running in spell after spell. When he bowls, the whole game changes. The crowd gets energized, and Woody is always checking his speed, knowing he is there to bowl fast and skillfully.”
