Mark Wood achieves feat no England bowler has managed since records began

07/19/2024 10:38 AM

England star Mark Wood bowled the fastest-ever over by an Englishman since records began – then bested it.

Renowned for his searing speed, Wood was in the mood at Trent Bridge against the West Indies on day two of the second Test as he nearly left scorch marks on the pitch.

His first appearance with the ball saw him break the record for the fastest over from an Englishman, bowling at speeds of 93.9mph, 96.1mph, 95.2mph, 92.2mph, 96.5mph and 95.2mph.

Somehow Kragg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis survived, despite the fact they would have had just 0.4 seconds to react to Wood’s fastest.

But, moments later, they would have to face the 34-year-old again – who ramped it up even faster in his third over.

While his second over did not include a single ball at lower than 94mph, his third saw him stun the crowd with a 97.1mph ball.

Not only that, but he bowled it short, nearly taking Louis’ head off if he did not move out of the way.

Sky Sports revealed on air that Wood’s first over was the fastest an Englishman has ever bowled.

But, after the Ashington-born ace’s third over, it was further revealed that he had just broken that record.

Despite his searing pace, Wood could not take a wicket from his four overs, with home debutant Shoaib Bashir picking up two in the morning session instead.

And it was his own record he broke, too, having first performed the fastest over by an Englishman against New Zealand at Lord’s in 2021.

Wood is notorious for his outrageous speed with the ball in his hands – with data proving that no one comes close to him in England.

In home Tests, Wood has bowled the fastest 11 overs with Jofra Archer bowling the 12th, during the 2019 Ashes at Lord’s against Steve Smith.

However, Australian legend Brett Lee has the fastest over on English soil, bowling an electric 96.35mph over during the 2005 Ashes at Old Trafford.

Later that series, he clocked up an average of 95mph at The Oval.