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In a sensational display of pace bowling, England pacer Mark Wood has etched his name in the record books by delivering the fastest recorded Test over by an English bowler at home. This remarkable feat took place during the ongoing second Test match against the West Indies at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. Wood, known for his blistering speed, set the speed gun ablaze on Day 2 of the match, sending down deliveries that left spectators and players alike in awe.
Historical fast bowling spell
Fast bowling has always been a thrilling aspect of cricket, with several bowlers over the years making their mark with fiery spells. However, Wood’s performance at Trent Bridge stands out as one of the most extraordinary. The records for the fastest deliveries in Test cricket have been dominated by legends like Shoaib Akhtar, Brett Lee, and Mitchell Starc. Wood’s recent achievement adds his name to this illustrious list, showcasing his exceptional pace and skill.
Breakdown of Mark Wood’s fiery spell
First over: Wood wasted no time in making an impact as he bowled his first over of the match with remarkable speed and precision. Here’s how his first over unfolded:
- 93.9 mph: Wood’s first delivery to Windies opener Mikyle Louis was a fiery 93.9 mph, setting the tone for what was to come.
- 96.1 mph: The second ball was even quicker at 96.1 mph, beating Louis with its pace and movement.
- 95 mph: Continuing his aggressive approach, Wood delivered a 95 mph thunderbolt.
- 92 mph: The fourth delivery was slightly slower but still rapid at 92 mph.
- 96.5 mph: The highlight of the over, a searing 96.5 mph yorker, was dug out by Louis for a single.
- 95.2 mph: Wood concluded the over with a 95.2 mph delivery to West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite.
Second Over: Wood’s second over was equally intense and maintained his high-speed assault:
- 94.4 mph: The first ball of the over was a 94.4 mph delivery that tested Brathwaite.
- 94.1 mph: The next ball clocked in at 94.1 mph, keeping the batsman on his toes.
- 94.8 mph: Another quick delivery at 94.8 mph.
- 94.5 mph: Wood maintained his speed with a 94.5 mph ball.
- 94 mph: A slightly slower delivery at 94 mph.
- 95.1 mph: The over ended with a 95.1 mph ball.
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Third Over: Remarkably, Wood’s third over was even faster, leaving the crowd in awe:
- 95 mph: The over began with a rapid 95 mph delivery.
- 93 mph: A 93 mph ball followed, slightly slower but still fast.
- 95 mph: Wood returned to high speeds with a 95 mph ball.
- 96 mph: The fourth delivery was clocked at 96 mph.
- 97.1 mph: The standout delivery of the spell, a sizzling bouncer at 97.1 mph, elicited a gasp from the crowd as Louis swayed out of the way.
- 94 mph: The final ball of the over was a 94 mph delivery.
Wood’s spell at Trent Bridge will be remembered as one of the fastest and most thrilling in Test cricket history. His ability to consistently bowl at such high speeds has not only set a new benchmark for English bowlers but has also reaffirmed his place as one of the premier fast bowlers in world cricket today.
