Mark Wood warned Australia that he can ramp his pace up even further after producing a stunningly quick spell of bowling to keep England’s Ashes hopes alive.
Wood’s entire opening spell at Headingley was north of 90mph before he returned to clean up Australia’s tail. His average of 90.4mph was the fastest by an England quick in a home Test, and he found extravagant movement, too.
“It’s an incredible feeling, especially getting five wickets,” he said. “My mum and dad were here and to be able to raise the ball to them, it was the first time they’ve seen me get five wickets, so a pretty special moment. Ashes cricket in general, you always want to be a part of it. I was chomping at the bit a couple of games ago, so to finally get in now, I’m really, really happy.
“That first spell, in particular, that’s as good as I’ve felt at home in an England shirt.”
Wood missed the first two matches of the series over doubts about his troublesome right elbow, which was swollen. But he immediately hit his straps.
“To have two of the fastest spells is great but I keep wanting to get better and push, push, push, to make sure I can bowl even faster,” he said. “I think the last couple of years has proved that (he can get even quicker). Maybe my average pace could be quicker.”
For two Tests at the start of this series, Australia wondered what exactly was going on with Mark Wood. He was in the squad at Edgbaston and Lord’s, but not deemed fit enough to play due to a slightly inflamed elbow.
Having been England’s leading wicket-taker in the last series Down Under, Australia were relieved that he went unseen as they ghosted into one of the closest 2-0 leads in history.
Now, we know why. Wood took no time whatsoever to make a mark on the series when his chance finally came.
His average speed of 90.5mph and average combined movement of 1.69 degrees, was, according to Cricviz, remarkable: only twice since records began has a fast bowler been quicker in an innings while generating more movement. Wood was electrically quick but highly skilful, too.
Captain Ben Stokes requested “flat, fast pitches”, and was clear that he wanted genuinely pacy options in his attack. Until now, he has had neither. Jofra Archer and Olly Stone are injured, and Josh Tongue is a little lower in pace. Now, armed with proper pace, Stokes used it carefully. Wood took the last four wickets, which was a reminder of how having high pace is so important against the tail, which has troubled England in this series.
It is a rare thrill to see a quick in full flight like this, although perhaps not for the Australians.
The Daily Telegraph in London
