Mark Wood Sets Headingley Ablaze with Thrilling Display of Fast Bowling in The Ashes 2023

According to a popular online encyclopedia, a fast bowler is described as someone who relies on speed to dismiss a batter. While this definition may be accurate, it fails to capture the sheer exhilaration of witnessing one of the best in action.

A genuine fast bowler embodies cricket’s most electrifying essence—a rare talent that defies the laws of physics and human limitations, captivating the senses of those on the field and in the stands.

On the first day of the crucial third Ashes Test, Mark Wood unleashed a spell of bowling that was unmatched in the country for 18 years, claiming a scintillating 5-34 and carrying the fervent Headingley crowd along with him in England’s must-win battle.

When you think of legendary Ashes fast bowlers, names like Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Jeff Thomson, Fred Trueman, Steve Harmison, and Andrew Flintoff come to mind. However, Mark Wood breaks the mold.

Slender and wiry, he appears more likely to excel in a cross-country race than to topple batsmen with sheer pace. Yet, when the ball is in his hand and his delicate body aligns perfectly, Wood possesses an almost magical ability to captivate audiences with his raw speed—a talent that enthralls spectators like a 19th-century family marveling at an elephant in a visiting circus.

“Did you see that? How fast is he?” whispers the crowd, perched at the edge of their seats in mild disbelief.

Wood begins his approach with a leisurely walk to the top of his run-up, followed by a sudden turn and a sprint from a position closer to the boundary rope than the crease, the wind whipping at his shirt as he charges forth.

Then comes the leap, a momentary pause where time stands still, before the ball is slung towards an unsuspecting batsman.

In Leeds, Wood’s first delivery—the first of the series—clocked in at 91mph. It rapidly escalated to 95mph, eventually reaching a staggering 96.5mph, setting a new record for the fastest spell ever recorded at Headingley.

Gasps reverberated around the stadium as the speed flashed across Headingley’s colossal screen.

In Wood’s initial 22 balls, not a single run was scored off the bat. Nevertheless, all eyes were fixated on the spectacle.

A slow hand clap gradually built to a crescendo as the sky-blue soles of Wood’s boots propelled him forward, while merciless cheers erupted when the ball struck Australian flesh. Even in the commentary box, eyes widened and eyebrows were raised.

Finally, a run was conceded—two, in fact—off the bat of Usman Khawaja.

Throughout the series, the Australian opener had cruised along effortlessly, scoring centuries and fifties while seemingly maintaining a tranquil heart rate. But not on this occasion.

And then, the primal sight unfolded—an explosive, swinging delivery from Wood that sent the stumps flying.

“It feels like a surge of energy building up, ready to be unleashed,” Wood revealed later.

England, led by captain Ben Stokes, had been eagerly awaiting Wood’s participation in the series. Persistent injuries, particularly in his elbow, had confined him to the sidelines during the first two Tests, where England suffered defeat.

This was Wood’s first Test match at home in two years, often reserved for the moments when England needed him the most.

“The ball was coming out of my hand really well in the last couple of days, so I knew I was in a good place, both physically and mentally,” he added.

Wood’s first spell concluded there, with Stokes keen to preserve his most valuable weapon. The second spell proved uneventful, as Mitchell Marsh unleashed an onslaught, sending the ball to all corners of the ground. However, Wood’s third spell ignited a frenzy among the previously subdued crowd.

First, Alex Carey—the primary antagonist in the eyes of the partisan crowd after the controversy at Lord’s last week—was struck on the helmet by a searing Wood bouncer.

A delivery later, either unsettled or attempting to respond aggressively, the left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman lobbed a catch to the fielder at extra cover.

Then came captain Pat Cummins—the other figure scorned by the crowd.

In the gripping first Test of the series, Cummins had steered his side to an unlikely victory with an impressive 12-over stand alongside Nathan Lyon. However, against Wood’s blistering pace, he lasted only two balls before being trapped lbw for a duck.

Next, Mitchell Starc was clean bowled, followed swiftly by Todd Murphy, all within the span of 16 balls. With four more wickets to his name, Wood had concluded the Australian innings.

Since lengthening his run-up in 2019, Wood had terrorized batsmen from South Africa to St Lucia, Tasmania to Multan, but this marked his first five-wicket haul on English soil.

“It was a special moment for me to raise the ball to my mom and dad, as it was the first time they witnessed me taking five wickets,” he shared.

Certain things cannot truly be conveyed through words or television screens—they must be witnessed firsthand to be believed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fast bowling

More about fast bowling

• The Ashes 2023
• Mark Wood’s profile
• Headingley Cricket Ground
• Cricket Rules and Scoring
• Australia vs England Rivalry