With the Headingley pitch looking as green as it did coming into the third Ashes Test, general consensus was that swing would be king on day one. But, whilst lateral movement certainly played a part, it was raw pace that won the day in Leeds.
The long-anticipated return of Mark Wood came at the perfect time for England. A fast-paced wicket and a raucous crowd the ideal companions to the Geordie's wicked bowling.
It's certainly the first time in this series that bums have been lifted from seats by a spell of rapid bowling, and as Wood raised the ball in front of his parents for the very first time, his importance to England's bowling lineup was crystal clear.
How fast are England's bowlers?
In his very first over, Wood broke the record for the fastest ball in this Ashes series with 93mph (149.7kph). The very next ball, he broke it again, 95mph (152.9kph) this time. He topped out at a brutal 96.5mph (155.3kph).
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His first spell finished with an average speed of 92.9mph (149.5kph), the second fastest spell on record in an English test match, Wood was the fastest ever in 2021, averaging 93.41mph (150.3kph).
Mark Wood is BACK!
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 6, 2023
🔥 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
For reference, ever-present opening bowler, Stuart Broad, sits around the 85mph (138kph) mark.
How fast are Australia's bowlers?
A man who has sent the same fear down a batsman's spine that Wood did on day one is opposite number, Mitchell Starc.
In terms of pace, Starc was at his absolute quickest in 2015. At the WACA against New Zealand, Starc sent down a yorker that was clocked by the speed gun at 99.7mph (160.4km/h).
Whilst his speed isn't quite what it used to be, such is the commonality of injuries that come to those who crank up the heat, his swinging yorkers have proven just as effective in this series. Here's his 89mph (144kph) dismissal of Ollie Pope at Lord's.
No one does this better than Him. Mitchell Starc 🐐 pic.twitter.com/VjkOgf2AMh
— Ansh (@141Adelaide_) July 1, 2023
Converting mph to km/h
Watching English test cricket from Australia means late nights, Michael Atherton, and the less-welcome return of 'miles' instead of 'kilometres'.
Mercifully, when the speeds of the latest delivery flip up on the graphic at the bottom of the screen, both metrics are shown.
A kilometre is equal to roughly 1.609 miles, for those with the energy or capacity to perform the quick maths. For those without, here are some checkpoints:
- 80mph = 128.7 kph
- 85mph = 136.8 kph
- 90mph = 144.8 kph
- 95mph = 152.9 kph
- 100mph = 160 kph
Who is the fastest bowler ever?
Of the top five fastest bowler ever, four are Australian.
The quick and bouncy pitches down under certainly shake hands with the type of bowler the Aussies love to produce.
Starc, Jeff Thomson, Brett Lee, and 'Wild Thing' Shaun Tait have all exceeded the 160km/h mark, but none could out-pace Shoaib Akhtar.
'The Rawalpindi Express' recorded the fastest ball ever during the 2003 World Cup, with a 100.2mph (161.3kph) bullet against England.
