When it comes to bowling in Test cricket, England’s main goal is speed, as Captain Ben Stokes has stated. In the first Test of the series against the West Indies, the team management gave Gus Atkinson a go. The pacer impressed everyone by taking 12 wickets and was named Player of the Match. Mark Wood, who can also cause problems for hitters with his sheer speed, was added to the team following the retirement of James Anderson.
That is England’s plan, with an eye towards Ashes 2025. Following the Stuart Broad-Anderson era, Stokes declared that a pace revolution was necessary and that every batsman in the world struggles to manage pace when skills are involved. According to the 33-year-old, Atkinson and Wood can regulate their tempo, which is a potentially lethal combination.
Ask any batter in the world, including Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, or Joe Root, and they will tell you that pace is a powerful tool that forces you to act in unique ways. It alters your way of thinking. However, there must also be talent involved in your speed. Last week, Gus demonstrated that he is an exceptionally skilled bowler in addition to being an obvious rapid bowler. Mark Wood is also in this. It’s really uncommon for someone who bowls so quickly to be able to control and swing the ball as well as he can, according to Stokes, who was
“Having bowlers you can choose from who can bowl at 90 mph and above is a bonus, but you still need to be very skilled with what you have,” he continued.
Not trying to get Jof back quickly: Ben Stokes
The recently ended T20 World Cup 2024 marked the return of star pacer Jofra Archer to the professional game of cricket. But Stokes doesn’t see the need to push him back into the Test lineup just yet, thinking that the summer of 2019 will be the ideal time for the 29-year-old to return to the red ball.
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It’s important to control your excitement. For example, if we’re just making sure and don’t see him till next summer. We are looking at attempting to extend his career for two or three more years if, for example, we don’t have him for a year. We have no intention of hurrying Jof back. Being a major fan of Jofra Archer, I think it’s fantastic to have him back in an England shirt,” Stokes remarked.
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