Ben Stokes Misses First Test Due to Injury, Uncertainty Surrounds His Role Upon Return
LONDON: England’s cricket team, led by Ben Stokes, is gearing up for a three-Test series against Pakistan, starting Monday. The series follows England’s dominant 3-0 sweep in 2022, and they head into it with high confidence, having won five of their last six Tests, placing them third in the world rankings. In contrast, Pakistan is struggling after a heavy defeat against Bangladesh.
Stokes’ Absence and Uncertainty Over Bowling
England will begin the series without their influential captain Ben Stokes, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury. While Stokes is expected to return later in the series, it remains uncertain whether he will be able to bowl. His role in the team as a specialist batsman could shift the balance of England’s lineup, which has typically featured five specialist bowlers.
In Stokes’ absence, England may look to fill the gap by relying on part-time bowlers like Joe Root to supplement the four frontline bowlers. Despite not playing for two months, Stokes’ recent performances, including three fifties in his last four innings against the West Indies, underscore his value to the team.
The Evolution of “Bazball”
England’s previous tour of Pakistan in 2022 marked the early days of the aggressive “Bazball” style of play, introduced by head coach Brendon McCullum. This attacking strategy saw England set a stunning 506-4 on the first day in Rawalpindi, with four players scoring centuries. Since then, McCullum has adjusted the team’s approach, advocating for “controlled aggression,” which has paid off in series victories against the West Indies and Sri Lanka.
Former England bowler Stuart Broad believes this style will continue to succeed in Pakistan. He highlighted England’s strong batting against spin and their ability to play fast-paced cricket, a necessary tactic to force results on typically slower pitches in Pakistan.
Challenges with an Inexperienced Bowling Attack
With veteran bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad no longer part of the squad, England is in the process of building a new pace attack. Chris Woakes, the most experienced bowler, has struggled with his performance in overseas conditions, while Mark Wood is unavailable due to injury.
England will rely on newer faces like Gus Atkinson, who has taken 34 wickets in his first six Tests, along with Matthew Potts and Olly Stone. Together, these three have only 19 Test caps, and Brydon Carse is set to make his debut in Multan. The spin department is also relatively inexperienced, with Jack Leach leading the charge. His fellow spinner, Shoaib Bashir, has played only nine Tests, and Rehan Ahmed has not featured since the India series.
Broad expressed concern over the inexperience of England’s bowling attack, especially in the absence of Stokes. “It’s very difficult to go into a Test match with three very inexperienced bowlers when Ben Stokes isn’t playing or not bowling. If things go wrong, and the spinner is inexperienced, you could lose a Test match in an hour,” he warned.
Despite these challenges, England’s positive form and adaptable style give them a fighting chance as they face Pakistan on their home turf.
This series promises to be a test of England’s depth and resilience as they look to maintain their upward trajectory in world cricket.