England captain Ben Stokes backing Mark Wood to surpass 100mph bowling barrier ahead of third Test v West Indies – Eurosport

England Test captain Ben Stokes is backing “phenomenal” Mark Wood to surpass the 100mph barrier in Test cricket after showcasing his immense bowling speed in the series against the West Indies.

Wood clocked a top speed of 97.1mph – with an average speed of 91.2mph – in the second Test victory at Trent Bridge last week, which inflicted literal pain on the tourists’ batting order.

Kevin Sinclair had to be sent home after fending off one of Wood’s ferocious deliveries, and Stokes believes it is only a matter of time before the Durham man surpasses triple figures.

He said: “[Wood] seems to be getting closer and closer to that [100mph mark], but I’m happy with what he’s doing now to be honest.

“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.

“You have to hold your hands up and celebrate what we have there. He’s got the heart of a lion. He runs in spell after spell, ball after ball.

“When be 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.”

Wood is edging closer to the all-time fastest delivery recorded in Test cricket, with that honour currently belonging to Australia’s Mitchell Starc, who managed 99.66mph against New Zealand in 2015.

The overall record across all formats at international level belongs to fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar. The Pakistan bowler clocked in at 100.2mph in their series against England back in 2003.

England have an unchanged team for the Third Test which begins at Edgbaston on Friday, as they aim to complete a 3-0 series win.

Meanwhile, Gudakesh Motie has been drafted in to replace the injured Sinclair and Akeem Jordan is on standby should Shamar Joseph not recover from a virus.