'He's Got Heart of a Lion': Ben Stokes Applauds Mark Wood's Bowling Ahead of ENG vs WI 3rd Test

England leads comfortably 2-0 in the series going into the last Test match between West Indies and England at Edgbaston that will start on July 26, 2024. While West Indies will rely on the likes of Kraigg Brathwaite and Jason Holder to make an impact, England will draw attention to excellent batting from Joe Root and Ben Stokes, hoping for a high note. The arena is ready for a heated battle between these two fierce squads.

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Ben Stokes made a huge statement about Mark Wood ahead of the England vs West Indies 3rd Test 

England captain Ben Stokes has praised Mark Wood's amazing speed and his ability to excite the audience with his forceful deliveries. Stokes is still hopeful about his performance in the forthcoming summer games even though Wood's diligence did not produce notable dividends in the Second Test against the West Indies at Trent Bridge.

The 34-year-old bowled at maximum pace during the Nottingham Test, notably touching 97.1 mph in one over, routinely surpassing 90 mph. England won a 241-run triumph, therefore Wood only managed to capture one wicket in 20 overs in the first innings and another in the second, despite his great speed.

Stokes commended Wood's performance in a news conference on Thursday, 25 July, before the third Test against the West Indies, stressing that the audience becomes quite active when the right-arm fast bowler is on pitch. He pointed out that Wood's impact goes beyond mere wicket count. BBC Sport quotes Stokes, 33, as saying:

"The whole game changes. When his name gets 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 as well to see what he's clocking. He's got the heart of a lion. He runs in spell after spell, ball after ball.

"Although he didn't get the rewards he wanted last week, he knows he affects the game in more than just wickets. That showed last week. I think someone will pay this summer, either West Indies this game or Sri Lanka."

"When you look at the guys we've got playing at the moment, with Woody being the standout because of how he bowls, it's very unlikely we'll get the remaining Tests out of him because of how hard it is on his body.

"Even though we've got a decent break to the next series, fast bowling is very hard, so naturally we may see a change in the bowling line-up. It's not required yet. It's tough to not play, but for Pottsy and Dillon it's great for them to be in the squad."

Mark Wood will play in back-to-back Tests despite his injury history because Stokes has named an unchanged XI for Friday's (July 26) third and final Test against the West Indies at Edgbaston.