Before a big year for cricket, England’s ‘Greatest Test’ must rank in the top few. The national team still has considerable ground to cover, not least in its pace attack. The absence of experienced bowlers and the ongoing commitments of players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) are impacting decisions about the final squad. Building the best There are challenges ahead too, not least a new woman-dominated bowling attack. This is just a second coming of the circumstances surrounding Zimbabwe’s most recent Test match in England, over 22 years ago now.
Jacob Bethell’s involvement with the IPL will push back vital calls on who makes up England’s top five. The young talent’s involvement in the franchise league raises fears about team composition. With the national sides facing quite a testing cricketing calendar, these questions take upon more urgency.
Currently, England’s pace attack appears alarmingly inexperienced. Gus Atkinson seems to have taken his one-year test career by storm so far. Now, he will assume the musical directorship of this cast. Atkinson currently has 11 Test caps under his belt. His performance will be hugely important, as he will carry a lot of the load for the team. Alongside him is Matthew Potts, the 10-cap Test fast bowler. His experience will be invaluable to the bowling unit’s strength.
Besides Atkinson and Potts, Josh Tongue will add to England’s attack. Tongue, who has enjoyed a fine start to the season with Nottinghamshire, with two Test caps under his belt, he is already proving that he has the ability to have a massive influence on the national stage. Cook, emerging talent from Essex, is highly promising and will probably be in the squad. Cook’s record is a doozy, to say the least. He has taken 318 first-class wickets at an average of below 20, speaking volumes about his jaw-dropping talent as a bowler.
England’s balancing act among their bowlers is muddied by the players who are not with them, chief among them Jofra Archer. Ollie Robinson, who previously earned 20 Test caps, has not played for England in over a year. His lost central contract in October raised alarm bells about his future with the team. Fans and media have focused more on his preparation for the following matches. Resurgent paceman Mark Wood is out until at least July following an operation on his knee. At the same time, Chris Woakes is still recovering from an ankle injury having failed to make an appearance this season.
It is a situation that has been further complicated by the recent health struggles of Ben Stokes. Having had significant hamstring surgery, Stokes will not be able to bowl in any form until well into the series against India. Despite having 210 Test wickets—more than any other active England bowler—his small-mindedness will surely change the mood of the team.
The depth of talent available means that England’s management now need to think long and hard as they prep a squad for future fixtures. The inexperience of a new pace attack and injury to older experienced bowlers is a big mountain to climb. This late action could greatly undermine their ability to perform well on the world stage.
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