England’s cricket team is currently in the midst of a similar crisis, as they cling on during one of their worst ever bowling averages in more than 20 years. In 2025, England’s bowling average stands at an alarming 38.47, marking the sixth worst year in the team’s 140-year Test cricket history. The increase in runs has led to concerns over the bowling attack’s potency. Yet it has called into question their unity, that is until the current Ashes series with Australia.
The rot really set in on the recently concluded second Test at the Gabba – no thanks to the gingerly-looking English bowlers. Their lineup was tailor-made to thrive in these conditions. The bad news is that they failed to present a smart or persuasive performance. The Australian batters mercilessly exploited gaps in the England lineup. In doing so, they achieved a staggering 81 runs off the back foot in the first 20 overs, an all-time first for Test cricket.
In the eye of England’s storm, no bowler was more important to England’s success than Jofra Archer. With just 17 caps under his belt, he was the most experienced member of the pace attack. Even Archer got no help, because England’s tactic didn’t work. Only 17% of their deliveries reach that coveted hard length of 7-8 meters. Even more importantly, this fundamental weakness allowed Australian batsmen to dictate the terms of an innings.
Ben Stokes has featured in 117 Tests, and he shoulders the burden of captaincy with great weight. He was pilloried on social media after leaking 64 runs in his first 11 overs. Brydon Carse was even more of a mirage, returning figures of 95 runs in 12 overs. Stuart Broad labeled England’s bowling effort on that day in Brisbane as the worst since 2008, putting just how dire things got that day into sharper focus.
“I have not seen a whole group get it wrong and bowl short and wide,” – Stuart Broad
As Broad gave the situation some thought, he remarked on the absence of communication and joint plan of attack among the seamers. Stokes is without support from seasoned campaigners such as James Anderson and Chris Woakes. That’s a pretty bad look on a team that professes to be so tactically intelligent.
“It struck me for the first time in two years that there is no-one helping Stokesy,” – Stuart Broad
Broad was particularly pointed about the lack of cohesion within the bowling unit. He acknowledged that bowlers such as Archer and Gus Atkinson weren’t able to provide feedback at key moments. Most importantly, he emphasized that a unified front is needed to achieve success at this stage.
“There were a lot of times Archer was at mid-on, Atkinson deep cover and Carse bowling. They would not say a word. You have got to work together,” – Stuart Broad
The challenges go beyond personal performances. They are indicative of systemic problems within the team’s architecture. The current bowling attack seems likely to include the tall fast bowlers like Archer, Atkinson, and Carse. They’ve just not demonstrated the synergy or tactical acumen required to make it on the big stage.
former cricketer Steven Finn… He posited that even if those experienced players did take the field, their influence perhaps wouldn’t have been felt much given the overall state of play right now.
“I’m not sure anyone else in the country would have made a difference,” – Steven Finn
The joint malaise of England’s bowlers has prompted cries for honest appraisal of their preparation and game-planning. Broad was the first to identify the tactical profile of a bowler bankrolled for success today. This can be a dangerous flaw to overlook in high stake scenarios.
“They don’t strike me as real tacticians of a game – thinkers of the craft,” – Stuart Broad
If England are to have any hope of salvaging this Ashes series, they need to address these glaring concerns immediately. The test of this team’s mental elasticity and growth will be seen in their next matches. Pressure is building nonetheless on Stokes and his staff. They need to pull themselves together and significantly improve their bowling display if they are to stand a chance of beating the Australians.
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