after England’s men won a tense, dramatic, sensational and unbelievable ICC Cricket Cup final against New Zealand at Lord’s – the home of cricket. The last time the town celebrated a success of such stature was in 1966 when footballing brothers Bobby and Jackie Charlton returned home World Cup heroes after a 4-2 extra time victory over West Germany at Wembley Stadium. Ashington-born cricketer Steve Harmison is a two-time Ashes winner whilst Wood also savoured that same moment when England lifted the urn over the Australians in 2015. Steve Williams, who coached Wood through the ranks at Ashington Cricket Club for seven years and has monitored his progress said: “I feel very proud of what Mark has just achieved and to be honest I’m quite emotional. I coached Mark from the age of nine until he joined the Durham Academy around 16 years old and I remember when as a youngster he flew over to Australia to play for ex Ashington cricketer Scott Kay’s Palm Beach club in Queensland. It is unbelievable to see him come through every stage of his development and to say I’m delighted would be an understatement.” Williams also heaped praise on new World Cup winner Wood who has had injury problems over the past few years. He added: “The way Mark keeps bouncing back (from injury) speaks volumes about his character. He has been written off time and time again but keeps coming back – purely and simply because he is a battler. In the current England set up, he not only looks the part but also plays his part and doesn’t look under pressure.” Williams who started his Ashington career in 1984 and who played in the same team as Mark’s father Derek a year later, has recently returned to the Mighty Acorns as coach and said: “When Mark is not playing cricket, he comes up to the club and cannot do enough. He has time for everybody; he keeps in touch and after England’s semi final win over Australia, he returned home and was even practising at Langwell Crescent.” Williams admitted that the final against New Zealand - which ended all square then was still tied after a super over before the hosts won a first ever World Cup by scoring more boundaries – had him pacing the floor: “I’m sure we will never see another game of cricket like that – it was truly unbelievable.”