So England is getting ready for New Zealand match at Lord's,but former cricketer Steven Finn seems pretty concerned about team's pace bowling strategy . And honestly,it feels like everyone is just talking about batting changes while bowling lineup is facing big questions.
In his column for BBC,he pointed out how after that disappointing Ashes campaign,it's time to completely rethink the bowling identity . Especially after so many senior bowlers have retired.
And he even compared this situation to 2013/14 Ashes series . That was that horrible 5-0 defeat in Australia,and he remembered how that loss forced big changes. He said something like,"After losing 5-0 in Australia, I was sent home with my tail between my legs."
And tbh,that parallel feels very real rn . It's like history repeating itself,and team needs some fresh thinking for the pace attack this summer.
Finn has his own ideas for who should be leading this new attack.
- Ollie Robinson as attack leader — Finn thinks he has the potential to lead pace attack,citing his impressive bowling average and skill set .
- Gus Atkinson's vital role — Finn has picked Atkinson because he has unique attributes that complement Robinson well.
- Josh Tongue's X-factor — His aggressive bowling style makes him a key player who can trouble batsmen with pure speed.
Finn seems to believe in Ollie Robinson a lot,even with his recent injury problems . He thinks Robinson has all the qualities to lead the attack but just needs to stay fit and composed to excel in this role.
Then there is Gus Atkinson,whose height and controlled bowling makes him good support player . And for Josh Tongue,Finn praised his performance during Ashes and urged selectors to make sure he is in the starting lineup. He said,"His ability to hit awkward lengths makes him a challenging bowler for any opposition."
But with both Brydon Carse and Jofra Archer absent,Finn knows current bowling lineup has weaknesses . Still,he seems optimistic about this new generation of bowlers and their potential to redefine England's cricketing future.
It feels like England is at a big crossroad now . This whole summer is a test for this new pace attack.
Putting so much faith in a few new faces is a big risk ah . You just have to wonder if this "reinvention" will actually work on the field or just remain good idea on paper…
