Can Stokes Reduce the Strain on England’s Young Bowlers? Insights from Steve Harmison

New Delhi, June 18 (NationPress) The fitness of England's captain Ben Stokes has long been a topic of great interest, particularly following his surgery for a recurring hamstring injury. However, upon his return in the match against Zimbabwe, he showcased a remarkable performance with his bowling.

As the countdown begins to June 20, the date marking the start of England’s five-match Test series against India in the lively city of Leeds, it heralds a pivotal chapter in Stokes’ leadership as England's Test captain.

Last summer, while the significance of the India series was high, the primary aim for England was to clinch the Ashes in Australia. Yet, envisioning a successful campaign against India, followed by a challenging series in Australia, hinges on Stokes making a notable impact with both bat and ball, given his rare talent for altering the course of a game.

Former England fast-bowler Steve Harmison, who has been acquainted with Stokes since he was 15 years old in Durham, opined that if Stokes can shoulder a heavier bowling burden against India, it might alleviate some pressure from a pair of young, inexperienced bowlers.

“Based on my observations during the Zimbabwe Test match, Ben Stokes appears to be in excellent shape. He looks fitter than ever physically, and his bowling performance during that match suggests he will be pivotal this summer. When he excels with the ball, it positively influences his batting, leading to impressive performances. He is an extraordinary captain and an influential leader,” Harmison stated in an exclusive discussion with IANS, facilitated by talkSPORT.

Aside from Stokes and Chris Woakes, the other pace-bowling options for England have minimal Test experience, which raises concerns about the strength of their bowling unit. With hopes pinned on Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, and potentially Mark Wood returning, Harmison emphasized the necessity of establishing a clear bowling identity.

“England faces a genuine challenge in formulating a bowling strategy that can defeat India at home and subsequently triumph in Australia. This may require two or three distinct combinations depending on the conditions, the type of ball used, and the geographical context of the matches,” he explained.

“Finding a cohesive bowling unit is essential. While they possess individual talent, they lack a collective strategy. Currently, there isn’t a reliable quartet of fast bowlers available to execute a cohesive game plan consistently,” Harmison remarked.

“With Mark Wood frequently sidelined due to injuries and Jofra Archer expected back for the second Test, I anticipate Woakes, Carse, Tongue, Bashir, and Stokes to form the bowling lineup for the opening Test. Beneath them, Overton and Cook have limited experience, each playing only one Test,” he continued.

“This places significant pressure on Chris Woakes, who has bowled just 66 overs in red-ball cricket since January. My concern regarding England’s bowling attack lies in the uncertainty surrounding their identity, which they must establish swiftly given the tough Test matches ahead.”

Despite the concerns about England's pace attack, Harmison is optimistic about Brydon Carse’s potential to unsettle India with his high release point and pace. “If I were to highlight one bowler from England to watch, it would be Brydon Carse. He possesses a unique advantage that India hasn’t encountered in recent Test series in England,” he stated.

“He features a tall, high release point and bowls at speeds nearing 90 miles per hour. In their previous visits, India has faced bowlers like Broad, Anderson, and Woakes, but not a bowler with such extreme pace. Ideally, Carse will take the field in the first Test, followed by Archer in the second,” he added.

England also has a noteworthy situation regarding Jacob Bethell, who has been hailed as a promising talent since his debut in last year’s New Zealand tour. However, given the recent centuries by Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope against Zimbabwe, Harmison believes Bethell will only feature if there’s an injury or loss of form among the starters.

“As of now, he ranks as the 12th man for me. I don’t see him playing unless a top-order player is sidelined. Stokes mentioned Bethell would return after his stint with RCB, and I doubt anyone anticipated his inclusion in the Zimbabwe Test,” Harmison stated.

“Furthermore, Luke Wright, the selector, recently hinted that Ollie Pope must compete for his spot, suggesting he will bat at number three. Hence, Jacob Bethell will remain out of the lineup until a vacancy arises due to injury,” he concluded.

Live cricket commentary for the England vs India series can be accessed via the talkSPORT Cricket YouTube Channel.