England cannot win their desperately disappointing series against the West Indies but Mark Wood’s searing speed on his Test return on Sunday means they will leave the Caribbean with a World Cup and Ashes boost.
Wood appeared to be a talent passing the Test team by, with injuries leaving him with 30 wickets in 12 matches at 41.7.
But he roared back on Sunday, picking up a Test-best five for 41 as the West Indies were bowled out for 154, their lowest score of the series and a first innings deficit of 123.
They could not live with Wood’s pace off his new, lengthened run-up. Since such data was first recorded in 2005, Wood’s average speed — 89mph, with a high of 95mph — was the third-fastest spell by an English bowler.
Little wonder he described it as “the best day of my career”, topping taking the winning wicket in the 2015 Ashes.
With Sam Curran and Chris Woakes such effective propositions at home, England’s bowling stocks look deep for the summer ahead.
“It’s nice to show people who have doubted me in the past that I can do it,” said Wood.
“There have been some horrible dark days through injury but I thought in my own mind I was an England player. It was a relief to show it.”
