Starting Thursday, James Anderson will be watching from the England balcony in the Trent Bridge pavilion, at the side soon to be renamed “The Stuart Broad End” before play begins. Stuart Broad, meanwhile, will be commentating for Sky at the other end.
On the field, under the scrutiny of 355 caps and 1,308 Test dismissals, a new chapter of English Test fast bowling will commence. No pressure, right?
Even without Broad and Anderson for the first time in 12 years on home soil, some familiar faces remain. Chris Woakes is set to earn his 50th cap, and Mark Wood returns to Trent Bridge, where he helped secure England’s last Ashes win nine years ago. Ben Stokes, fresh from 18 overs in the first Test, is getting back to his allrounder form.
The spotlight, however, is on newcomer Gus Atkinson, taking the new ball. This move hints at the future. England hasn’t picked two genuine quicks in their attack since a 2021 Test against New Zealand.
With the 2025-26 Ashes on the horizon, Anderson’s retirement was expected. Despite the tributes to Anderson’s illustrious career, England’s strategy is clear in this second Test, just days after his farewell at Lord’s. Speed is now the priority, as captain Stokes made evident.
Stokes emphasized, “Ask any top batter, pace changes the game. But skill must accompany speed. Gus showed he’s not just fast but highly skilled, just like Mark Wood. Having bowlers who can deliver at 90mph with control and swing is rare.”
This shift towards a faster attack aligns with October’s central contract list, filled with quicks like Wood on a three-year deal and development contracts for Matthew Fisher, Saqib Mahmood, and John Turner.
Turner, despite limited four-day cricket since July 2023, impressed recently with five wickets for the County Select XI against West Indies. Elevating a 23-year-old with minimal first-class experience is bold but not unprecedented.
Jofra Archer represents a cautious approach. His successful return in the T20 World Cup doesn’t alter plans to reintroduce him to red-ball cricket in 2025. Stokes commented on Archer’s recovery, stressing the importance of patience to extend his career.
Transitioning the seam attack won’t be seamless. Atkinson has limited experience opening the bowling in first-class cricket. Wood returns after a challenging tour of India. Woakes, dealing with personal loss, is finding his form after a break.
Woakes’ return to Test cricket following his father’s death is emotional. Despite a modest performance in the first Test, his journey since August 2013 and his 50th cap promise to be poignant. Stokes, who also lost his father, empathizes with using cricket as a means to cope with grief.
Anderson’s mentoring role was evident as he coached Stokes on a wobble-seam delivery. Stokes appreciated Anderson’s guidance, despite the challenge of mastering the technique.
This new England pace attack must blend wisdom from the balcony with their unique skills on the field. Stokes encourages them to embrace this opportunity.
Stokes remarked, “It’s a chance for Woakesy and me to take more responsibility. With Jimmy gone, Gus and Woakesy will lead with the new ball, setting the stage for those who follow.”