Broad fears England’s ‘inexperienced’ bowling attack could get exposed in Anderson’s absence

Former Test veteran Stuart Broad said England’s ‘inexperienced’ bowling attack could get exposed in James Anderson’s absence thissummer. Anderson, who announced his retirement from Tests, will play his farewell match, his 188th in this format, against West Indies on July 10 at the Lord’s. Broad expressed his concerns, saying if they overlook Woakes and Wood in the side, they could have four players playing together with the experience of 20 Tests combined.

Broad also considered the probability of Test Captain Stokes not bowling, given his knee injury, for which he ruled himself out of the 2024 T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA.

Speaking on the Sky Sports podcast, Broad said, "England could easily go into a Test match this summer with a very, very inexperienced bowling group."

Add WION as a Preferred Source

"If you don't play a (Chris) Woakes, Mark Wood has a rest, and there's no Jimmy Anderson, you could have three seamers and a spinner out there potentially with 20 caps between them.

"That's quite scary as a Test captain I would have thought. We don't know how much (Ben) Stokesy's going to bowl - we hope he does.

"But that could leave you a bit exposed. There's only one way to find out with bowlers, and that's to give them a go,” Broad continued.

Broad gives a solution

Having played 167 Tests and picked 607 wickets, Broad explains what England can do to ensure a smooth transition once Anderson leaves. The former seamer said the management must ask the inexperienced unit to communicate better and solve problems during a live Test, helping them gel together.

With an eye on the home five-match series against India next year and, importantly, the 2025 away Ashes, England must find their right balance in the bowling attack till then.

ALSO READ:Mishab-ul-Haq urges Babar Azam to up his game and play in top gear at T20 World Cup

"Encourage them to communicate out there, encourage them to solve their problems live in a Test match, with the scrutiny of media and fans, and pressure of winning.

"Ultimately, we might look at this summer as India not coming, or a really good South Africa team, but Sri Lanka and the West Indies are capable of beating England, without doubt - we saw the West Indies at the Gabba - but England will have the mindset they should be winning six Test matches,” Broad added.

Returning to Anderson, Broad admits that his absence will leave a huge void, and someone has to step up to fill it.

"There's going to certainly be a huge hole left by Jimmy Anderson that someone is going to have to step into. And not just by swinging the new ball. But by communicating, keeping calm if the boundaries are leaking, by tactically being aware of what field works at certain grounds, pitches and times of Test matches.

"Ultimately, you don't learn that unless you're thrown in,” Broad continued.

Meanwhile, following the 2024 T20 World Cup, England will host West Indies for three Tests and Sri Lanka for as many games after that.

(With inputs from agencies)