'He has got the heart of a lion' - Ben Stokes feels express pacer Mark Wood is getting closer to 100 mph mark

England Test captain Ben Stokes heaped massive praise on pace spearhead Mark Wood ahead of the third and final match against West Indies. Commenting that Wood has the “heart of a lion”, Stokes backed the right-arm pacer to touch the 100mph mark soon in Test cricket.

Wood currently holds the record for the fastest over bowled by an England bowler since 2006. The express pacer achieved this feat in the second Test of the ongoing home series. Returning to the game's longer format after a long break, Wood did not take long to show off his menacing pace.

Although he failed to pick up any wicket, he set the record by clocking all first six deliveries over 92mph. His first delivery hit almost 94mph and the next ball over 96mph. However, he broke the record in his third over, hitting 97 mph with the fifth ball. As per ESPNCricinfo’s data, Wood ended the over with an average speed of 95 mph.

Also Check: WATCH: Mark Wood's 156.2kmph bullet shocks Windies opener Mikyle Louis in ENG vs WI 2nd Test

Speaking ahead of the final match, Stokes said Wood is getting closer to the 100mph mark and the way he maintained his pace throughout the innings was "quite phenomenal”.

"He seems to be getting closer and closer to that [100mph mark], but I'm happy with what he's doing now, to be honest. Being able to sustain that pace is quite phenomenal,” said the all-rounder

"His average speed every time he plays a Test match is always above 90mph - it's all fine and well trying to bowl one spell above 90 but every spell he bowls for England he's clocking over 90mph,” he added.

When he bowls the whole game changes: Stokes 

Stokes noted that Wood energizes the team and the crowd with his blistering pace. “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's clocking. He knows he's in the team to not only bowl skillfully but also fast,” he said.

Also Read: 'Hardik Pandya and Ben Stokes are my inspirations for being an all-rounder', says India's future star

The third Test starts on Friday, July 26 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. England have already won the series with huge wins in the first two matches. They are currently placed sixth in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table. A victory is crucial for them to stay alive in the final race.