Currently, James Anderson has retired while Jofra Archer has been facing some health issues and therefore there is a clear shift of pacers in the England team. England’s all-round senior cricketer Ben Stokes has supported Chris Woakes as the new leading pacer of the bowling attack.
The Great Anderson’s departure in July 2024 left a gaping hole in English bowling. For nearly two decades, his swing, seam, and number of wickets defined England’s fast bowling identity. Partnered with Stuart Broad, they formed a formidable duo, dominating batting lineups worldwide. Anderson’s retirement sealed the chapter of English fast bowling. Jofra Archer’s recurring injuries make the situation even more foggy, regarding who is going to be the key pacer in the team.
Recently Stokes interacted with the media where he stated his confidence in Chris Woakes for leading the English bowling attack. He underlined the role, experience, flexibility, and leadership queue that Woakes feeds into the side.
Woakes, having played Test cricket for quite some time and has over a 100 wickets to his name, is a player with a successful background. He offers the team the advantage of the new ball and is useful in the middle overs controlling the rate at which runs are scored.
It is quite challenging to assume responsibility for a man of the caliber of Anderson. Woakes will have to pack the mantle of being an attacking bowler especially given the absence of tried and tested bowlers such as Anderson and in all probability Archer.
Conserving his form and fitness will also be important for the desired results in the English team. Woakes who has played more than 80 test matches and playing a handy role in batting declared him a complete all round bowler. The new ball specialist and pressure through accurate bowling in the middle overs make him especially the key bowler of the side.
The up-and-coming Ashes series down under will be Woakes introduction to test cricket as the new strike bowler. One has to admit that facing such opponents as David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne in their grounds will be difficult.
Woakes timed his knock well but his cricket will come under the scanner and more so when England will look to defend the Ashes. Much will be expected of him as England will play in the home conditions. Woakes has a chance along with younger bowlers like Matthew Potts and Saqib Mahmood to bring up a new generation for the English fast bowlers.