Ben Stokes Praises Mark Wood, Eyes 100 mph Milestone in Final Test Against West Indies

England Test captain Ben Stokes lauded fast bowler Mark Wood for his impressive speed and expressed confidence that Wood could soon reach the 100 mph mark. Stokes highlighted Wood's performance during the second Test against West Indies. The final Test of the series begins Friday.

England Test captain Ben Stokes backed pacer Mark Wood to touch the 100 mph mark in the long format, lauding the bowler for his 'heart of a lion.' The third and final Test of the home series against West Indies starts on Friday.

During the second Test at Nottingham, Wood delivered the fastest over by an English bowler at home since 2006. In his third over on day two, Wood's fifth ball reached 97 mph, translating to 156 kmph. His consistent speed throughout the over ranged between 93 mph and 97 mph, as per ESPNCricinfo's data, breaking his own record set just two overs before. Stokes noted Wood's proximity to the 100 mph mark and praised his sustained pace.

'He seems to be getting closer and closer to that [100mph mark], but I am happy with what he is doing now, to be honest. Being able to sustain that pace is quite phenomenal,' said Stokes. 'His average speed every time he plays a Test match is always above 90mph. It is all fine and well trying to bowl one spell above 90 but every spell he bowls for England he is clocking over 90mph,' he added.

The fastest Test delivery stands at 99.66 mph by Australia's Mitchell Starc in 2015. However, the 100 mph mark was crossed back in 2003 by Shoaib Akhtar during the World Cup with a speed of 100.2 mph. Stokes emphasized Wood's match-changing capabilities and his impact on the crowd and team.

'He has got the heart of a lion. He runs in spell after spell, ball after ball. When he 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 to see what he is clocking. He knows he is in the team to not only bowl skilfully, but also fast,' he concluded.

England announced their playing XI for the final Test after securing a 241-run win in the second Test in Nottingham, taking an unassailable lead. They moved up to sixth place in the World Test Championship standings and will aim for a series whitewash against the West Indies. Following the series, England will host Sri Lanka for three Tests next month before touring Pakistan in October and New Zealand in November and December.

After 12 matches, England have 45 points and a percentage of 31.25, with five wins, six losses, and one draw. The West Indies have fallen to ninth in the standings with a 22.22 percentage and face matches against England, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Pakistan in the current period.

(With inputs from agencies.)