WATCH: Mark Wood castles Kirk McKenzie with an incredible ripper on Day 1 of Edgbaston

In the third Test match against the West Indies at Edgbaston, England’s fast bowler Mark Wood was merciless in the morning session. Wood hit a breathtaking ripper to remove Kirk McKenzie’s middle stump in the game’s 25th over. The 34-year-old confused the batter with a full-length delivery that swung back. McKenzie attempted a late defending, but the ball uprooted the middle stump off the ground and his bat was nowhere near it.

As his teammates delightedly congratulated him, Mark Wood was overjoyed to have the wicket. At one time, West Indies appeared to be formidable hitters, but three straight dismissals put them on the back foot.

Though he has been the pillar, Captain Kraigg Brathwaite hasn’t had much help at the other end. Mikyle Louis, the other opener, got off to a good start but was eventually dismissed by Gus Atkinson, who took two wickets in the morning.

West Indies were 97/3 at the end of the first session when he removed Louis for 26 and then got rid of Alick Athanaze for two runs. While a lot of attention will be on England spinner Shoaib Bashir, who has been fantastic for the Three Lions in the current series, the captain must play a captain’s knock to save the team.

Check out the viral moment here:

Why look for the outside edge…

When you can take middle stump out the ground! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ojiqBtWgXF

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 26, 2024

Win the third Test, and England hopes to completely destroy the West Indies.

Even though they are ahead 2-0 and have already won the series, England is working tirelessly to win the third Test and raise their ranking in the ongoing World Test Championship. Although the road to the finals is exceedingly tough, the Ben Stokes-led team, who is presently sixth on the table, can yet make it there if all goes according to plan.

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Zak Crawley has had a terrible series thus far, so for the time being, he will be trying to score some runs. West Indies hitters are dangerous and should not be taken lightly, despite England’s bowlers hoping to finish the game early in the second Test.