Ben Stokes bets on Mark Wood to bowl first-ever 100mph thunderbolt in Test Cricket

England Test captain Ben Stokes is confident that his teammate Mark Wood has the potential to become the first bowler to be clocked in excess of 100mph (161km/h) in Test cricket. Ben Stokes stated that Mark Wood is focused on his current performance rather than breaking the 100mph barrier in Test cricket.

Australia pacer Mitchell Starc holds the record for the fastest delivery in Test cricket. He clocked 99.6 mph (160.3km/h) against New Zealand in 2015. Pakistan's Shoaib Akhtar possesses the overall international record with a 161.2 km/h delivery against England in 2003. Shaun Tait also delivered a ball at 100 mph.

Mark Wood showcased his exceptional pace during the second Test against the West Indies at Trent Bridge. The right-arm pacer reached a top speed of 97.1 mph, the fastest delivery in a Test match on British soil. Wood previously clocked 97.7 mph during the Ashes Test in Melbourne during the 2021-22 series.

Mark Wood Seems To Be Getting Closer - Ben Stokes

Speaking during a pre-match press conference, Ben Stokes stated that Mark Wood seems to be getting closer to the 100mph mark. The England Test captain highlighted Wood's ability to bowl above 90mph, describing it as phenomenal.

"I don't know if he's actually too bothered about it. He seems to be getting closer and closer to that (100mph mark), but I'm happy with what he's doing now to be honest," Stokes said.

"Being able to sustain that pace is quite phenomenal. His average speed every time he plays a Test match is always above 90mph -- it's all fine and well trying to bowl one spell above 90 but every spell he bowls for England he's clocking over 90mph," he added.

Mark Wood took one wicket in 20 overs in the first innings and added another in the second, as England secured a 241-run victory. Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir took five wickets in the second innings. England took a 2-0 unassailable lead in the ongoing three-match Test series against the West Indies at home.

Mark Wood Has Got The Heart Of A Lion - Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes praised Mark Wood’s performance despite his career being marred by injuries. Stokes highlighted that the crowd gets excited when speeds are displayed on the big screen and added that Wood himself tracks his speed. Stokes said that Wood has the ability to bowl both fast and skillfully.

"You have to hold your hands up and celebrate what we have there. He (Wood) has got the heart of a lion. He runs in spell after spell, ball after ball," Stokes further added.

"When he bowls the whole game changes. When his name is read out the whole crowd is up, then when the speeds are on the big screen everyone gets going. Woody is always looking up at the screen as well to see what he's clocking. He knows he's in the team to not only bowl skilfully, but also fast."

England announced an unchanged playing XI for the third and final Test match of the series. The match will be played at the Edgbaston in Birmingham, starting on July 26, Friday. The home team hopes to win the final match and complete a clean sweep.

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