Mark Wood , the England fast bowler, sent out a 97.1 mph thunderbolt during the second Test of the three-match series against West Indies at the Trent Bridge in Nottingham. After replacing James Anderson, who retired from international cricket at the Lord’s Test in London last week, the 34-year-old bowled a fiery spell of fast bowling on day two of the second Test.
After England were bundled out for 416 runs in the first innings at the close of play on day one, the next morning saw England bowl aggressively with their fast bowlers. In the 14th over of the innings, Mark Wood was bowling at an express pace against the West Indies openers Mikyle Louis and the captain Kraigg Brathwaite.
On the fifth bowl of the over, the right-arm fast bowler topped-up with a 97.1 mph short ball, which Mikyle Louis managed to let go through to the wicket-keeper without any harm. During his four-over spell in the morning session, Mark Wood kept on delivering balls in excess of 90 mph.
Although he didn’t manage to pick up a wicket, the West Indies batters succumbed to the off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, trying to put the pressure back on England with some big strokes. Mikyle Louis was the first to be dismissed on 21 off 41, while Kirk McKenzie got out on 11 off 27, and shortly after, Kraigg Brathwaite lost his wicket for 48 off 72 on a short ball from Gus Atkinson, spooning it straight to the short-leg fielder.
At lunch on day two, West Indies found themselves on 89/3 in 26 overs, trailing England by 327 runs in the first innings.
Watch the video of Mark Wood’s 97.1 mph thunderbolt to Mikyle Louis: