Ashes 2023: Mark Wood clocks fastest over at Headingley as England land early blows on Day 1

England pacer Mark Wood is setting Headingley on fire and rattling the Australian batters with his lightning speed as England and Australia continue to take on each other in the ongoing third Test of the Ashes. Wood sent down thunderbolts throughout the entirety of the seventh over, thereby recording the fastest over at Headingley in Leeds during the must-win third Ashes Test on Thursday, July 6.

Marking his return to the Test playing XI since December 2022, Wood was handed the ball before the seventh over of the day. It did not take the pacer too long to crank it up as he swiftly started firing down rockets, clocking speeds over 91mph throughout the entirety of the over.

On the first two deliveries of the seventh over, Wood generated speeds of 91mph and 93mph, respectively. He recorded the fastest ball of the over while sending one down at 95mph on the third delivery and followed it up with 93mph, 94mph, and 93mph on the last three balls.

Mark Wood is BACK!

🔥 0.1 - 91mph
🔥 0.2 - 93mph
🔥 0.3 - 95mph
🔥 0.4 - 93mph
🔥 0.5 - 94mph
🔥 0.6 - 93mph

The fastest over ever at Headingley since records began! 🌪️#EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/KYsg6gGnFr

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 6, 2023

While that was not all, the England quick got better during the ninth over of the ongoing contest. While being up against Marnus Labuschagne, Wood bowled at 93mph and 95mph on the first two deliveries to begin with. However, it was the third ball when he recorded the fastest delivery that touched 96.5mph (155kmph).

Wood concluded the final three deliveries with jaw-dropping speeds of 95mph, 94mph, and 92mph, respectively. Wood, alongside Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali, replaced the likes of seasoned pacer James Anderson, Josh Tongue and the injured Ollie Pope in the playing XI.

Anderson’s off-colour start to the ongoing Ashes campaign has forced him to warm the bench for the third Test with Woakes making his way back into the XI. Meanwhile, Moeen Ali, who could not feature in the second Test due to an injury to his spinning finger, has returned to the playing XI.

The Aussies have the momentum on their side and will look to take an unassailable lead in the five-match series. With 0-2 down in the series, Ben Stokes and Co. will need to up the ante and get back to level terms to keep the series alive.