Fast bowlers are often compared to Formula One engines in cricket: they are capable of immense power, but also highly vulnerable when their components fail. When a fast bowling partnership works, it can carry a team, as seen with legendary duos like Lillee and Thompson, Ambrose and Walsh, and Wasim and Waqar. However, when these partnerships fade, it can lead to a team’s downfall, as their identity becomes tied to the success of those bowlers.
Seventeen years ago, Michael Vaughan and Peter Moores made the decision to drop Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison from the England team, replacing them with James Anderson and Stuart Broad for the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington. Hoggard never played for England again, and Harmison’s career soon fizzled out. Anderson and Broad, however, went on to become the most successful bowling pair in Test history. Their long-standing dominance of English bowling was expected to continue indefinitely, but as Anderson edges towards the end of his career, and Broad has already stepped away, many feared that England would face an identity crisis.
Yet, rather than faltering, England’s bowling attack has found new life in the form of Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse. Atkinson, whose unassuming style belies his effectiveness, has taken the cricket world by surprise with his 90mph pace and ability to generate swing. In his first year of Test cricket, Atkinson has already claimed 52 wickets in 11 Tests at an impressive average of 22.15, including a 10-wicket debut and three five-wicket hauls. His versatility was further demonstrated with a Test century against Sri Lanka and a hat-trick in Wellington. Atkinson’s performances have made him a key figure in England’s bowling attack, and he is now looking forward to what could be a bright future.
Brydon Carse, after serving a three-month ban for historic betting offences, has made a remarkable return to the England side. His five Tests have seen him take 27 wickets at an average of 19, including a 10-wicket haul in his third Test at Christchurch. Known for his intimidating pace and bounce, Carse has proven to be a valuable asset for England. His partnership with Atkinson has added a new dimension to England’s attack, with the two bowlers complementing each other’s strengths. Ben Stokes, England’s captain and Carse’s teammate at Durham, has expressed his belief in Carse’s potential, saying that he has finally become the cricketer Stokes always knew he could be.
Looking ahead to the Ashes, England’s men’s team has a wealth of fast-bowling options. Alongside Atkinson and Carse, the team can call upon Matthew Potts, Josh Hull, Chris Woakes, and the dynamic duo of Mark Wood and Jofra Archer, although the latter two are often sidelined due to injury concerns. England will enter the 2024 Ashes with a potent bowling attack, giving them plenty of options to challenge Australia.
It’s not just the men’s team that has fast bowlers to boast about. England’s women’s team is also looking forward to the Ashes, with their series set to begin on January 12 in Sydney. The multi-format series will feature three T20s, three one-day internationals, and a day-night Test at the MCG. The England women’s team is coming off a strong performance in South Africa, having won the T20 and ODI series and claimed their first Test victory in a decade.
Two of the standout performers in the women’s team are opening bowlers Lauren Filer and Lauren Bell, both 23, who played crucial roles in England’s Test victory in Bloemfontein. Filer, known for her pace and aggression, has been a nightmare for opposition batters, with her bouncers often causing discomfort. Bell, on the other hand, is more measured and precise, offering a different kind of threat with her control and accuracy. Both bowlers have shown immense potential, and their partnership has been a key factor in England’s success.
Heather Knight, England’s captain, praised the duo for their contrasting styles. Filer, she said, is a bowler who “just seems to make things happen,” and there’s a temptation to keep her on for longer spells due to her wicket-taking ability. However, Knight believes that Filer is most effective when fresh, using sharp spells to maintain pressure. Bell, in contrast, is a model of control, having worked hard to develop a versatile skill set that allows her to adapt to different conditions and situations.
As 2024 begins, both England’s men’s and women’s teams can look forward to a year filled with fast-bowling promise. With Atkinson, Carse, Filer, and Bell leading the charge, England’s cricketing future looks bright, and they will be hoping that their pace attacks will be able to match or even surpass the success of their predecessors. Whether Australia has noticed this growing strength remains to be seen, but England is certainly ready for the challenge ahead.
