In a thrilling display of pace and precision, England’s Mark Wood has etched his name into the annals of cricket history by delivering the fastest over ever bowled by an English bowler at home. This remarkable feat occurred during the second Test against the West Indies at Trent Bridge, leaving fans and cricket pundits in awe.
SOURCE : ZEE
On the morning of day two, Wood’s fiery spell began with a delivery clocked at 93.9 mph (151.1 km/h) and only accelerated from there. His subsequent deliveries were recorded at 96.1 mph (154.65 km/h), 95.2 mph (153.2 km/h), 92.2 mph (148.4 km/h), 96.5 mph (155.3 km/h), and 95.2 mph (153.2 km/h), averaging an astonishing 94.7 mph (152.4 km/h) for the over. This performance surpassed the previous record for the fastest over bowled by an England player at home since data recording began in 2006
Source:- BBC news
Wood’s pace did not wane in his subsequent overs. In his second over, he maintained speeds above 94 mph, with his fastest delivery reaching 95.7 mph (154 km/h). The third over saw him break his own record, with the fifth ball clocking in at a blistering 97 mph (156 km/h). This over averaged 95 mph (153 km/h), further cementing Wood’s status as one of the fastest bowlers in the world
The second Test match saw England put up a formidable total of 416 runs in their first innings, thanks to Ollie Pope’s brilliant century (121 off 167 balls) and valuable contributions from Ben Duckett (71 off 59 balls) and captain Ben Stokes (69 off 104 balls)¹. West Indies, in response, faced a daunting task and had lost three wickets by the end of day two.
Wood’s spell, though wicketless, was instrumental in applying pressure on the West Indies’ batsmen. His figures after three overs read: three overs, one maiden, five runs, and zero wickets. The relentless pace and accuracy of his deliveries kept the West Indies’ batsmen on their toes, exemplified by a brutal bouncer to Mikyle Louis that the batsman narrowly avoided
Mark Wood’s achievement is not just a personal milestone but a significant moment in England’s cricketing history. The previous record for the fastest over by an England bowler at home was also held by Wood, set during a Test match against New Zealand at Lord’s in 2021. His ability to consistently bowl at such high speeds is a testament to his fitness, skill, and dedication to the sport.
The cricketing world has been quick to laud Wood’s performance. Former cricketers and analysts have praised his ability to maintain such high speeds over multiple overs. “Mark Wood’s spell today was nothing short of sensational. To bowl at such speeds consistently is a rare feat and speaks volumes about his talent and hard work,” said former England captain Michael Vaughan.
Fans at Trent Bridge were treated to a spectacle, with many taking to social media to express their admiration for Wood’s fiery spell. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) also acknowledged the historic moment, sharing clips of Wood’s deliveries on their official social media channels
As the second Test progresses, all eyes will be on Mark Wood to see if he can continue his impressive form and help England secure a series victory against the West Indies. With his record-breaking performance, Wood has not only inspired his teammates but also set a new benchmark for fast bowling in England.
Mark Wood’s historic over at Trent Bridge is a reminder of the thrilling and unpredictable nature of Test cricket. His ability to bowl at such high speeds consistently has added a new chapter to England’s rich cricketing history. As fans celebrate this remarkable achievement, they eagerly await more such electrifying performances from Wood in the future.
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