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[Watch] Mark Wood surprises Mikyle Louis with 97.1 mph searing short ball during England vs West Indies 2nd Test

England speedster Mark Wood lived up to his reputation of delivering absolute thunderbolts as he bowled a delivery at 97.1 mph to West Indies batter Mikyle Louis. This was during the third over of Wood's spell on Day 2 of the ongoing second Test at Trent Bridge.

It was a short-pitched delivery that hit back of a length and took Louis by surprise. The West Indies opener arched his back just in time and avoided getting hit as wicketkeeper Jamie Smith collected the ball.

The crowd were on their feet when they saw the speed of 97.1 mph on the big screen. Here's a video:

Mark Wood had already delivered the fastest over in a home Test in England since the records began, clocking speeds of 93.9 mph, 96.1 mph, 95.2 mph, 92.2 mph, 96.5 mph and 95.2 mph. He broke that record almost immediately in his third over by sending down the 97.1 mph thunderbolt.


England take the first session on Day 2 with late wickets

West Indies had done the hard work by dismissing the hosts for 416 at the end of play on Day 1. Good batting conditions on Day 2 meant that the visitors had an opportunity to get off to a good start and set a platform for a big total.

Things began well on Day 2 for the West Indies as skipper Kraigg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis added 53 runs for the first wicket. However, Shoaib Bashir drew first blood for England as Louis played one shot too many and was caught at mid-on.

Brathwaite was then sent packing by Gus Atkinson just two runs shy of his half-century before Bashir struck again with the wicket of Kirk McKenzie. The West Indies need a big partnership in the second session to ensure they are not chasing the game once again.

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