There are more spots open in England's seam attack ahead of the Test match summer than their have been in years. However, a spiralling injury crisis means many who have been earmarked for a spot in the next few months are currently unavailable.
Ever since the news of James Anderson's retirement following the first Test of the summer, the race has been on to claim a place in England's attack. With both Broad and Anderson now out of the picture after a 15-year hold in home conditions, it seems likely that England will look to new blood as they start their run into the Ashes series down under in 2025/26.
However, several of their premier options are currently unavailable for selection, with no guarantee they'll be ready to go by the first Test against the West Indies at the end of July. News came in this week that Chris Woakes is currently taking a break from professional cricket due to the death of his father. In a statement released on social media, not timeline was given for his return during a difficult time. Earlier in the summer, Rob Key clarified that while Jofra Archer is fit to bowl in the T20 World Cup, he will not play Test cricket until next year, fitness allowing.
That potentially takes out two of England's premier options. But even at the level below, those who have been earmarked for Test debut or a return to the side, there are significant concerns. Jamie Overton was potentially in line for a place in the T20 World Cup squad but will now likely miss the entire Test summer after sustaining a stress fracture in his lower back during the early rounds of the County Championship. Sam Cook, who bolted to the top of the contention list with his start to the season with the Kookaburra ball, missed the start of Essex's T20 Blast campaign with a hamstring injury – it is understood not to be a serious injury but no timeline has been placed on his return. Josh Tongue, who made his Test debut last summer and played a leading role in the Lord's Ashes Test match, hasn't played a competitive match since last August, and is unlikely to feature in the upcoming Test summer due to a pectoral muscle injury.
News also came in this week that Brydon Carse, who is as yet uncapped at Test level, has been suspended from cricket for three-months for betting offences. While Carse has not yet played a Test match, he has been given opportunities in white-ball cricket, and would have been on their radar even if not at the top of the pecking order.
Nevertheless, England still currently have a couple of their premier choices available to them. Ollie Robinson described this summer as "make or break" for him ahead of the start of the county season. Having been groomed as a replacement attack-leader over the last couple of years, his early Championship performances have been decent – he's likely to play a leading role over the summer. Mark Wood has returned from injury in time for the T20 World Cup, which is encouraging for England fans hoping for a repeat of his blistering performance in the Ashes. Gus Atkinson has also impressed for Surrey after missing the 2024 IPL to manage his workload. Having carried the drinks in India over the winter, he's firmly on England's radar.
Below those preferred options, England will have to look to those searching for a recall, before they get to the untested ranks. Matthew Potts last played a Test match in 2022 and, despite a slow start to the season in Division One for Durham, is likely to feature this summer. He was impressive for England Lions in India over the winter, taking 20 wickets across three red-ball matches in challenging conditions. Dillon Pennington has enjoyed an impressive start to the season at his new county, Nottinghamshire. He is among the highest wicket-takers in Division One this year and though he does not possess express pace, he is certainly brisk enough for the rigours of Test cricket.
Saqib Mahmood made his return from a long injury lay-off in May. However, his overs for Lancashire have been limited since his comeback, and he only played two matches for them before the end of the first phase of the Championship. He hasn't featured for them in their opening matches of the T20 Blast, raising more questions over his fitness. Olly Stone has also taken tentative steps to a return to full fitness. He played three Championship matches for Notts in the initial rounds of the competition, and has featured in the Blast.
John Turner turned heads last summer down at the Utilita bowl as another express pace option. However, a knee injury has so far precluded him from Hampshire's red ball attack this season, although he has featured in the second XI. Matt Fisher is also on England's radar for a return, as development contract holder. He hasn't featured for Yorkshire since the beginning of May.
Injury concerns noted, the most positive sign for England's bowling attack six weeks ahead of their first Test against the West Indies is Ben Stokes' return to action with the ball. In the two matches in which he's bowled for Durham he's taken 15 wickets including a five-for. The promise of once more being able to balance their attack with a bit Stokes magic will somewhat ease their concerns.
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