On the third day of play in the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford, England came tantalizingly close to victory, thanks largely to a stunning late surge by their star paceman, Mark Wood. In his final spell of the day, Wood found his rhythm and unleashed his devastating pace, wreaking havoc in the Australian batting lineup.
It was a momentous occasion as he claimed his 100th Test wicket, and he did it in style with a remarkable delivery that dismissed Travis Head. In the 37th over of the innings, Wood was already on a high after dismissing the crucial wicket of Steve Smith just 10 deliveries earlier.
With his tail up, he charged in and delivered a fierce bouncer that exploited Head’s well-known vulnerability. The Dukes ball rose sharply after pitching and caught Head completely off guard. In a desperate attempt to evade the ball, Head raised his hands and hopped slightly, but it was too late.
The ball brushed his gloves and flew to Ben Duckett at gully for a straightforward catch. Wood’s delivery clocked an impressive 91 mph, almost touching the 150kph mark, showcasing the sheer pace that left Head with little time to react.
Travis Head is completely bamboozled by the pace and bounce of Mark Wood! 🌪️
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 21, 2023
Four down. Six to go. #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/9d2B9U1Ewp
The dismissal marked a significant milestone for Wood, securing his 100th Test wicket in his 29th appearance, eight years after his debut. The moment was met with great joy and congratulations poured in for him on social media, as he celebrated this remarkable achievement.