With Jofra Archer rested and captain Ben Stokes, England’s leading wicket -taker in the series against India rested, former captain Geoffrey Boycott says he is not sure of the new-look bowling firm giving sleepless nights to India’s batsmen. “England has come with a new bowling line-up and Does not look threatening. It comes with big question marks,” he said in a podcast on The Telegraph.
But he said it was a sensible decision to rest Archer, who played his first Test in four years after intermittent injuries. “At the end of the Old Trafford Test Match Joffra looked tired. His accuracy went as he sprayed too many balls on the left handers’ pads and was so wide off stump often they did not have to play. His pace was down with the old ball so it is wise not to over bowl him,” he said.
“He toiled hard, must have a big heart but I thought at the end of the last Test match, he was puffing and blowing a bit. In racehorse terms he was knackered. So rest vital,” he said.
He sympathised with the captain too. “He needs rest and treatment. Otherwise he could maybe not make it for the Ashes if he makes it worse playing. Without him in Australia would be a big body blow. He’s a warrior. In a tough contest you need people like him or up for the challenge, love a scrap,” he said.
That leaves England with Jamie Overton, whose lone Test had come three years ago, back-from-injury Josh Tongue, last year’s breakthrough star Gus Atkinson and the veteran Chris Woakes. While the six feet five inches tall Overton could generate bounce, he is not the quickest of the lot. “He’s lively, not super quick but he does play for Surrey at the Oval so he has home knowledge of the ground that might help,” he pointed out
Tongue doesn’t inspire confidence either. “Josh Tongue is back from injury. Big heart but didn’t get top batsman out earlier in the Test. His wickets were all tail ended.” As for Atkinson, he says he has not featured in too many competitive games. “Atkinson was a super cricketer last year, wickets, runs, he had everything. But he had a back injury and he hasn’t bowled competitive cricket for a while. I say again, rehab, net practice, are not the same as in the middle when you play matches,” he said.
Woakes, he feels, becomes staid when the ball loses the shine. “Pretty decent, likely to get a wicket with the new ball but after that he has been 80 mile an hour, straight up and down with the old ball. So on paper I can’t honestly say it is a frightening attack or should worry India but if it is the best England can come up with then you have no choice. You just hope for the best. You have to rest the other guys,” he said.
