Ex-England star confident 96mph Mark Wood's pace can tip Ashes in hosts' favour

13 July 2023 , 08:34

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Malcolm thinks England can still win the Ashes (Image: Stu Forster)

Devon Malcolm was the strike bowler who skittled the South Africans like ninepins after warning them: “You guys are history.”

And after 96.5mph whirlwind Mark Wood's stunning re-entry into Test orbit, Big Dev believes the Aussies could be heading for the history books, too – by losing an Ashes series from 2-0 up for the first time.

Wood's 5-34 in the first innings at Headingley, where he unleashed the second-fastest spell on record at a Test match in England, made the Aussies hop around like kangaroos on a trampoline. Now Malcolm says the Ashington Express and his duel with the speed gun will be the key to England's chances of levelling the series at Old Trafford next week.

On cloud nine: Devon Malcolm after his 9-57 against South Africa in 1994 (PA)

Ready to hit the dancefloor again in Manchester, cobbers? And we're not talking about the famous Hacienda nightclub from the 1990s.

Famously namechecked as “Malcolm Devon” after his Test debut against the Aussies in 1989 by former chairman of selectors Ted Dexter, England's most explosive bowler of his generation was too often discarded and recalled in between his 128 wickets from 40 caps. But Lord Ted – or should that be Ted Lord? - recognised the raw speed that troubled even the world's best batsmen, and Malcolm admitted Wood's performance at Leeds brought a big smile to his face.

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He said: "Mark Wood was magnificent at Headingley - when you pitch the ball up at that pace and make it move late, as he did, the batter has no real answer. That was top-class fast bowling – he got everything right and he made it uncomfortable for the Aussies, which is always good to see. I was really impressed.

Five star: Mark Wood celebrates at Headingley (PA)

“Did I fire up more against Australia? On my debut they didn't lose a wicket on the first day (Mark Taylor and Geoff Marsh made 301-0 at Trent Bridge, although Malcolm was unlucky not to remove Marsh lbw before he had reached double figures).

“It was the ultimate test of character and you have to be on top your game to beat them because they don't give you many gifts. Now it remains to be seen if Wood can sustain that pace and intensity for the rest of the series, but it was nice to see the Aussies on their toes – and if he can do it for two more Test matches, England still have a chance of winning the Ashes.

“Nobody likes facing extreme pace and I always relished the contest with them. I'm not sure how we lost at Edgbaston – it was a bit strange because England made most of the running - and we have always had a bad record at Lord's against Australia.

“But that win at Headingley has given me hope above hope that we can take it to a decider at The Oval and make history there.”

Fast and furious: Malcolm was dropped too often (Getty)

In his first Test appearance for 16 months, Wood's blitz – plus his sensational cameos with the bat – was probably the fastest spell by an England bowler since Malcolm's 9-57 destroyed South Africa at The Oval 29 years ago. Malcolm had been pranged on the helmet by Fanie de Villiers when batting and, inspecting the damage, he warned the Proteas: “You guys are history.” He wasn't joking.

The Aussies were always glad when successive England regimes didn't pick him or manage him properly.

Ashes legend Steve Waugh said: “We were always amazed every time we played England and Devon Malcolm's name wasn't on the teamsheet. “They would pick medium pacers who were consistent, but they never really went for matchwinners and we couldn't believe he didn't play regularly against us.

“With Devon you might get a ball down the leg side and then a perfect outswinger at 100mph, or the next one would be at your throat. He got me a few times in Test matches and he was always a handful.”

Mike Walters