England fast bowler Mark Wood is not the tallest of their bowlers but he certainly is the fastest of the lot. Second fastest in England’s history, Wood’s spell against Australia in the recently concluded Leeds Test was one to remember for ages as it impressed pundits around the world.
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It is said that good height and a long run-up are vital for generating pace. However, Wood’s run-up is pretty small that it surprises even the greats of the game with respect to how he generates high speed in his bowling. Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah‘s run-up is also not that long and it even takes a lot of toll on his body. The same is the case with Wood who has been through quite a lot of injuries till date.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar‘s height was also around Wood’s only and he is considered the fastest-ever bowler. That said, unlike Wood, Akhtar used to have a pretty long run-up. Wood has agreed that he might never cross the 100 mph barrier but is hopeful of bowling quicker than his current speeds.
Mark Wood Height
Wood’s height is around 6′ (1.83 m). He is not the smallest of the players but the other pacers in the squad are relatively taller than him. Wood’s fellow pacers Stuart Broad (1.98 m), Ollie Robinson (1.96 m), James Anderson (1.88 m) and Chris Woakes (1.86 m) are all taller than him.
Broad recently said that he had a discussion with Wood where they talked about how his short run-up is putting a lot of pressure on his body. Former West Indies legend Michael Holding also suggested the same to Wood.
“The thing about a short run is that it puts a lot of pressure on your body because you’re having to really explode at the crease rather than carrying a bit more momentum with you that takes the stress off your body,” Broad told Sky Sports.
Advantages Of Being A Tall Fast Bowler
While not all the top pacers of the world are genuinely tall but height does play a part in this aspect of cricket. It is a basic that the longer the levers, the more force one can generate. The additional benefit of extra bounce is also a huge factor. Tall bowlers can use the short ball way more efficiently than shorter bowlers.
Former Pakistan pacer Mohammed Irfan, who was 7′ 1″, was had become a fear among batters just because of his height. No batter in the world feels comfortable in front of a tall lethal pacer.
