James Anderson and Stuart Broad assess England seamers ahead of ‘era-defining' India and Ashes Tests
There is a sense of epochal change in English cricket. For the first time in more than 20 years, the men's Test summer began with neither Stuart Broad nor James Anderson available for selection, the former's grandstand Ashes finish at The Oval followed swiftly by his long-term partner's rather more enforced curtain-call at Lord's last summer.
With the pair go 1,308 Test wickets and the grey matter that comes with trundling in the best part of 75,000 times, combined, with red ball in hand.
Advertisement
While Anderson ploughs on increasingly impressively for Lancashire, and Broad slips seamlessly into his new role with Sky Sports, the next generation of English seamers must fill their bowling boots.
In fact, make that generations; in the 12 Tests so far since Anderson's retirement, England have fielded nine fast bowlers, ranging from the callow to the consummate, the raw tools of Josh Hull contrasting with the grooved gifts of Chris Woakes.
By the end of the India series, a fit-again Jofra Archer and resurgent Jamie Overton may be added to that number; others wait in the wings, with 19-year-old Eddie Jack spending time with the squad recently despite being yet to make his County Championship debut. Ahead of 10 era-defining Tests, England's pace race is underway.
The first clash with India at Headingley this week fires the starter's pistol on two marquee series back to back, an almost referendum on the regime led by Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes. In such a landscape, it is understandable that the hierarchy sought to instigate a seam-bowling sea change.
Advertisement
'They've given good exposure in Test series that haven't always been hugely testing,' Broad explains. 'Now is a real pressure point – they'll be under pressure in every single session of the India series, and that's where you will see which players rise up and take it and which players don't necessarily rise to the occasion.
Gus Atkinson (left) and Brydon Carse have made strong starts in Test cricket (Getty)
'The opportunities that Gus Atkinson has had, Josh Tongue coming back into the set-up with his attributes, [Brydon Carse] has come in and done really well. There are attributes there that are outstanding. But I also look at how lucky they are to come into an environment under Baz and Stokesy where they are given the freedom to go and express themselves. What an amazing way to start your Test journey.'
It has been a theme of Stokes's tenure just how much he has got out of his raw rookies, each of Atkinson and Carse enjoying standout showings during their debut seasons in Test cricket. Tongue, too, went well against Australia, and is a welcome returnee after injury. While Broad has watched on from afar, Anderson has had a closer perspective, stepping into a coaching role after concluding his playing days last year. 'Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse haven't played a huge amount of Test cricket, but they are brilliant bowlers and they will do fantastically well,' he predicts. 'They'll need a little bit of a nudge in the right direction but their actions are good, there is not a lot you can do with them technically, it's more the mental side and tactical side of it.'
Advertisement
Just as crucial, though, has been what Stokes and McCullum have got out of their old stagers. Anderson and Broad twinkled in their twilight while both Woakes and Mark Wood – who may yet be fit for the end of the India series – provided crucial impact during the Ashes on home soil. The leadership's shift in mentality was stark, Anderson explains.
Chris Woakes is now the senior head in England bowling group (AP)
'It gave us a new lease of life because of the approach to how they wanted to play. I'd spent 20 years in a team trying to keep the run rate under two and a half an over to create chances. All of a sudden, that went out the window. It was like, 'I don't care about the run rate, I want to take wickets and get off the field as quickly as possible'. It was quite refreshing to hear that.'
Out of Broad and Anderson's twin departures, a predilection for pace and point of difference has been clear as England bid to build an attack capable of challenging in Australia. All of Wood, Archer, Tongue, Carse, Overton, Atkinson and Olly Stone are capable of approaching 90mph when fully fit and firing, providing England with a stock of speedsters they have perhaps never previously possessed.
Jofra Archer looks set to return to Test cricket this year (PA)
But there will also be a place for the softer skills of Sam Cook and Woakes, with the oft-unfortunate Matthew Potts somewhere betwixt and between. Australian pitches have become more and more hospitable to seamers of late.
Advertisement
'The last series in Australia, three of the wickets were really seam-friendly. That screams out for skill and control,' Anderson stresses. 'It's great to have pace in your attack, and there will be times for that. But I actually had a conversation with Marnus Labuschagne not long ago and he would much rather face a 90mph bowler to an 83mph bowler who is nibbling it around and constantly asking questions of him outside off stump.
'You need the skilful bowlers because there will be movement out there, but there will be times when we need that extra pace. You need a big squad and as many bowlers as you can fit, because you can't go through five Test matches with the same bowlers. Hopefully Ben Stokes is bowling because he adds a huge amount to that group at full tilt. You need depth – there will be injuries, people not bowling their best or out of form. Part of the reason I got told that I wasn't going to play again was because they wanted to give people a chance to play a few Test matches before the Ashes. From that point of view, I can see their reasoning.'
Marnus Labuschagne (left) offered revealing insight into his psyche when talking to James Anderson (Getty)
The temptation will be to look immediately to the prestige and problems that a trip down under will provide but England dare not overlook the challenge that India will pose. The tourists have not won a series in England since 2007.
Advertisement
'I don't think the Ashes was ever mentioned within the four walls of the dressing room,' Broad says. 'It was the job of Rob Key, Luke Wright and [Brendon McCullum] to plan for series that are coming up. One of Baz's great strengths as a coach is keeping the players very present as to what challenges are in front of them. I doubt they'll even look at Australia until India have been played.
'It's always hard as a player to not be looking towards an Ashes but there is such a big test before that. It's as big as it gets. They are two huge series which will define the Bazball era – it'll be an amazing success if both are won and looked on very differently if not.'
Watch all five England vs India Test matches live on Sky Sports Cricket and NOW from 20 June
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Potential record deal puts Elliott's name back in the headlines as Albion are linked
Harvey Elliott, pictured with Yasin Ayari, could be on the move (Image: Simon Dack) Harvey Elliott's name is being linked with Albion again – after Liverpool clinched a record deal. The champions' move for Florian Wirtz will set them back an initial £100 million. That will become a British record £116 million if various clauses are met. Advertisement It also appears to affect Elliott's potential to play significant minutes for the Reds. Albion were believed to be interested in Elliott during the January transfer window and probably before that. That might at least partly explain why The Sun report him to be of interest to the Seagulls in the current window. He would command a sizeable fee and comes with some uncertainty over what he can produce in the Premier League on a consistent basis. But Elliott, who is currently with England under-21s at the Euros, has shown plenty of promise. He scored for Liverpool at the Amex towards the end of the season. Advertisement There is no suggestion that Albion have bid for Elliott but there is a theory the presence of his former Anfield mentor James Milner could help persuade the 22-year-old to move. Albion have an array of options in attacking midfield areas but plenty of outward activity is expected during the summer transfer window.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
FORMER U'S: Ex-Colchester United youngster signs for National League side
Summer switch - former Colchester United youngster Harvey Sayer has signed for Tamworth from Lowestoft Town (Image: Richard Blaxall) FORMER Colchester United defender Harvey Sayer has signed for National League side Tamworth. The young wide player has joined the Lambs from Pitching In Isthmian League division north side Lowestoft Town, who will receive compensation as a result of the deal. Advertisement Sayer joined Colchester's academy at under-14 level and made his professional debut for the club in 2020, at the age of 17. He came on as a second-half substitute for Miles Welch-Hayes in the U's EFL Trophy group game against West Ham United under-21s. Sayer signed his first professional contract with Colchester in January 2021 and made his EFL debut the following month, coming on as a late substitute for Aramide Oteh in the U's defeat to Exeter City. But Sayer was released at the end of the 2022-23 season, after six and a half years with the club. Advertisement What U's fans can expect from former Spurs youngster Jaden Williams He joined Lowestoft Town and has enjoyed a productive two seasons with the Suffolk club. However, Sayer is now looking forward to a fresh challenge at Tamworth, who finished tenth in the National League in the 2024/25 season.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Nicolas Jackson apologises for sending off against Flamengo
Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has apologised for his red card in the 3-1 Club World Cup loss to Flamengo. The 24-year-old was sent off for raking his studs down the shin of Lucas Ayrton just four minutes after coming on as Enzo Maresca's side collapsed in the second half. Advertisement 'I want to say sorry. To the club, the staff, my team-mates, and all the fans watching, I let you down,' said Jackson, who was sent off against Newcastle in their third-last Premier League match. 'Another red card… And honestly, I'm so angry at myself. I work hard every day to help the team not to put us in this kind of situation. 'I still don't fully understand how it happened. But one thing is clear: it wasn't intentional. Just a moment in football that went the wrong way. 'No excuses. I take full responsibility. I'll reflect, I'll grow, and I'll come back stronger for the badge and for everyone who believes in me. Advertisement 'Sorry. Sorry, Sorry.' When Maresca was asked about Jackson's challenge and his recent indiscipline he told DAZN: 'It was a red card, so nothing to say.' However, Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella admitted it was something the 24-year-old had to improve. 'He is young player, he has a lot of quality, he maybe needs to improve this a little bit. We are here to improve, we are not perfect so it is part of the game,' he said. The Blues were leading through Pedro Neto's 13th-minute strike but after second-half goals from Bruno Henrique and Danilo in quick succession Jackson saw red and Wallace Yan scored the Brazil side's third. Advertisement Maresca put the damaging defeat down to 'trying something new' for next season. 'It completely changed the game. Unfortunately we conceded two goals in a short moment and then the red card and then I think it is complicated to get back into the game,' the Chelsea boss added. 'We tried – but congratulations to them. They deserved to win. 'We tried to do something different in the game, for next season and for the future.'
