The retirement of Stuart Broad, one of England’s finest pace bowlers, has left a significant void in the team’s bowling attack. Broad’s illustrious career saw him take 604 wickets in 167 Test matches, making him the second most successful pace bowler in history, just behind his long-time teammate James Anderson. As England looks to fill the gap left by Broad’s departure, former England batsman Ian Bell believes that a talented crop of bowlers, including Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, and Sam Cook, could step up to bolster the team’s bowling lineup.
Ollie Robinson has shown great promise in his young Test career, claiming an impressive 76 wickets in just 19 matches. However, Robinson had a somewhat underwhelming performance during the recent Ashes series, leading to his omission from the team for the final two games. Despite this, his overall form suggests he could be a reliable asset for England.
Worcestershire’s Josh Tongue made an impactful Test debut, taking five wickets at Lord’s, only a month after his international debut at the same venue. His ability to handle the pressure in a big series garnered attention, and he remains one of the prospects for bolstering England’s bowling attack.
Essex’s Sam Cook has not represented England yet but has impressed coaches, including Ian Bell, during his time with the England Lions. His skillful bowling, accuracy in hitting the top of the off-stump, and control of length make him a viable candidate to be considered for future selection.
Bell emphasizes the importance of patience when grooming new talents like Tongue and Cook. Replacing a veteran like Broad cannot be immediate, and giving these young bowlers time to settle into the international arena is crucial for their development and success.
“Stuart Broad’s retirement means England need to find a replacement. Moeen Ali will also not play again, leaving the door open for that batting and spinning all-rounder. I think as far as replacing Broad goes, England has options, and they are down the road to finding some good operators. Ollie Robinson, of course, comes back into the team. Josh Tongue debuted this summer, and it looked like he could handle the pressure of a big series.” Bell told Betfair.
“Sam, from Essex, could do a job. I was with him with the Lions in Sri Lanka. He has a high skill level, hits the top off with consistency like nobody else, and his length control is fantastic. What is key is recognizing that guys like Tongue or Cook need time to bed in. You can’t expect either of them to be as good as Stuart straightaway.” Bell added.
With the departure of Moeen Ali, England is also in search of a batting and spinning all-rounder. Several players like Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed are potential contenders for this role. Their strong performances may see them don the England jersey, especially during the upcoming tour of India.
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One interesting choice mentioned by Bell is Lancashire’s Tom Hartley. A tall spinner with good pace, Hartley’s trajectory could suit the Indian pitches. His bowling style is reminiscent of the likes of Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja, making him a compelling option for selection.
“As for a player like Moeen, there are exciting options. Will Jacks, we’ve already seen, be involved with England, likewise, Rehan Ahmed, whose batting is really coming on. Both of those two could be selected for India. Don’t be surprised if the selection is Lancashire’s Tom Hartley. He’s a tall bowler who bowls his spin with good pace, which could work on those India pitches. He’s a similar style of bowler in terms of trajectory to Axar Patel or Ravi Jadeja.” Bell explained.
