Mark Wood warns Australia he can bowl even FASTER than his 96.5mph delivery at Headingley

Mark Wood warned Australia he can bowl even faster after posting a record top speed of 96.5mph at Headingley on Thursday and claiming his first five-wicket haul on home soil.

The England pacemaker took five for 34 on his return to the side as the Aussies were all out for 263 on the first day of the Ashes third Test, with Mitchell Marsh hitting a run-a-ball 118 and the hosts then closing out at 68 for three. in response.

Wood’s fastest ball was the fastest ever recorded by an Englishman in Test cricket, while his average speed of 92.9mph in his opening spell trailed only his average of 93.4mph at Lord’s in 2021.

But the 33-year-old said: “It’s disappointing that he wasn’t the first.” Having two of the fastest is great, but I still want to get better and push and push and make sure I bowl even faster.

‘The last two years have shown that I can. My average pace could be faster. I came into this game after four spells so I haven’t really played a lot of test cricket.

The bowler smashed through Usman Khawaja’s defenses as he hurled forward at speeds of up to 96.5mph, recording the fastest bowl ever recorded by an Englishman in Test Cricket.

‘Ben Stokes was very clear before the game that he only wanted me to fast bowl in short periods. We’re down 2-0 and we’re looking for wickets.

‘That first period was so good as I felt at home in the England shirt. I’ve felt for a while that I have a point to prove here.

“All my good things have happened away from home, so to finally be able to do it at home was a huge relief.

‘My mum and dad were here and it’s the first time they’ve ever seen me take five wickets so to be able to lift the ball for them was a special moment. It was an incredible feeling.’

This was Wood’s first Test since playing in Pakistan last December, having missed out on selection for the Ashes’ opener at Edgbaston before not taking the chance at Lord’s due to elbow pain.

But Wood has warned Australia that he is capable of bowling even faster in England’s attack.

The 33-year-old man advanced at such speed that he regularly fell to the ground.

“I would love to have played earlier, I was impatient,” he said. ‘But I’m not frustrated, it’s just the way it works. The only thing I can do now is try to contribute to the rest of the series.’

England’s day could have been so much better if Joe Root hadn’t left Marsh in front of Chris Woakes when he was just 12. Jonny Bairstow also bowled Travis Head on nine and scored 39.

Follow Mail Sport on Threads here: https://www.threads.net/@mailsport

“Of course it’s disappointing when the catches go down,” Wood added. ‘Head and Marsh would have been great wickets at the time and they know it. But they are doing everything they can.

England suffered another blow when Ollie Robinson limped off with a back spasm before tea and was unable to bowl for the rest of the day.

Mitchell Marsh was Australia’s star of the day, hitting a crucial century of 118 for the tourists.

Meanwhile, Marsh’s century came on his first Test appearance since the last Ashes here in 2019 and he insisted he loved the hostile Headingley crowd.

“I thought it was great,” said the recalled all-rounder. “I would love to spend a day in the West Stand, I think it would fit the bill. The booing is part of it.” It’s the Ashes cricket. Go ahead.’

Mail Sport understands that another Just Stop Oil protest was halted by Headingley officials yesterday after two people were refused entry to the ground.

Security staff found a couple wearing Just Stop Oil T-shirts under their jackets and carrying bags, which aroused suspicion and prevented them from entering.

Follow Mail Sport on Threads here: https://www.threads.net/@mailsport