After sitting out the first two matches, Mark Wood announced himself in this series by unleashing a dozen whirlwind overs on the opening day of the third Test, taking five wickets along the way – and the really good news for England is that he thinks he can get quicker. Not since Brett Lee in 2005 has any bowler registered a faster average speed across an innings than Wood did in marking 90.5mph – with a top speed of 96.5mph – at Headingley.
“Leading into the game I felt I was in a really good rhythm. I was ready to go and chomping at the bit,” Wood said. “I haven’t done that well in this country so there were a few nerves flying around. I’ve felt for a while I have a point to prove here, all my good stuff has happened away from home, so to be able to finally do it here was a massive relief. That first spell in particular, that’s as good as I’ve felt at home in an England shirt.”
