Just
a few months ago pundits appeared evenly divided over whether England or South
Africa had the best seam bowling attack in world cricket. Whilst most would
have argued that South Africa’s first choice combination of Dale Steyn, Morne
Morkel and Vernon Philander edged out England’s unit it was a close run thing,
and England’s depth was often highlighted as a point in their favour. But in
spite of the Test series win in India, and an excellent one-day international
record over the last twelve months, England now have cause for concern about
both the quality and depth of their fast bowling stocks.
There
is no concern about the leader of England’s attack. Steyn can rightly call
himself the leading quick-man in the world but any opposition batsman will tell
you that James Anderson is not far behind. His average and strike rate aren’t
as good as Steyn’s, but at the back end of the Indian tour he re-confirmed to
any that doubted that he’s a man for all conditions. The other man now a sure-fire
starter is Steve Finn. In the last twelve months or so he’s started to produce
the performances to justify the faith of his many supporters. He remains
inconsistent at Test level, but his hostility now guarantees him a place in the
starting line-up.
Ahead
of the match-up with South Africa last summer there would also have been no
dispute about Stuart Broad’s place. He was the pick of England’s successful
seamers against India at home and Pakistan away, and very good against Sri
Lanka and West Indies. With good reason most observers thought he had finally
cracked it at Test level. But then something went wrong. He lost his pace and
rhythm against Amla et al., and didn’t rediscover it until being ruled out in
India with a heel injury. So drastic has been his change of fortunes that many
would no longer pick him in their first choice XIs. With rumours circulating
that he might be a doubt for the New Zealand trip it is now far from certain
that he will share the new ball when the Ashes get underway in July.
The
third member of England’s seam bowling unit in the drubbings of Australia and
India in 2010 and 2011 was Tim Bresnan. Although Bresnan has never been viewed
as a destroyer, he was a key member of that side. As well as building up exceptional
personal figures he became the team’s lucky charm and contributed with the bat.
But right now even the staunchest Bresnanite finds it difficult to justify
selecting him. Since elbow surgery last winter he’s been a shadow of his former
self. Whilst sporadic glimpses of form suggest he’s worth persisting with in
limited-overs, he surely can’t go to New Zealand with the Test side. The case
for his selection has quite simply disappeared. On recent evidence he no longer
offers control, penetration, runs - or good luck.
Another
fast bowler who had success but would now appear to have fallen away is Chris
Tremlett. After an injury-ridden period following his successful debut Test
series in 2007, he came from left-field to hurt the Australians in 2010-11. He
was then also named Man of the Series after bowling Sri Lanka out in a session
to throw the decisive punch of a rain-affected series which followed. However,
injury has returned and he would appear to have slipped off the radar for
immediate selection. Tremlett hardly played at all in 2012, and whilst England
are keen to keep him around the set-up, as an injury-prone 31 year-old the
chances of him playing a part in England’s future are slim.
It
is worth briefly considering Graham Onions. The leading wicket-taker in
Championship cricket last year, he did well in the Test Match he played against
West Indies at Edgbaston. But England would appear to see him as a
horses-for-courses bowler. It is feared that his style of bowling is too easy
to hit on flat pitches in Asia, and in one-day cricket. Hence, although it
would be no surprise to see him feature at some point in the Ashes, he’ll do
little to solve the current issues with the one-day side.
Indeed,
it is the limited-overs teams that would appear to have the biggest problem.
Given England’s schedule, Anderson, Broad and Finn are rightly wrapped in
cotton wool. But the supposed depth has disappeared, and those that have come
in would not really appear to be up to it.
A
big concern must be Jade Dernbach. He has become a figure of ridicule lately (and
not just for his horrible tattoos), but he undoubtedly has a rare skill in the
way he utilises slower balls at the back end of an innings. It doesn’t always
come off, but nor do Malinga’s yorkers. Nevertheless, you can’t pick somebody
who doesn’t bat well in a 50-over team purely for death bowling, and for the
most part he is a liability. His ‘normal’ delivery is not particularly
penetrative, and often bowled inaccurately. Even Surrey fans tend to be a
little surprised to see his name on England teamsheets. He may have a role for
England in the future, but right now he needs to go back to his county and
spend a year or two learning more about his bowling in a less pressurised
environment.
Dernbach’s
Surrey teammate, Stuart Meaker, has only marginally more control. His core
asset is to bowl at 90 mph, which could be useful in Tests, particularly away
from home. But the feeling is that in the short forms, where he has played his international
cricket, he can be just a bit too predictable. For that reason he hasn’t always
featured in Surrey one-day teams, and doesn’t really fill an England supporter
with confidence.
Another
young talent who’s been on the radar for a while is Chris Woakes. Warwickshire
fans will tell you that he’s a fine all-rounder. But his international efforts
so far don’t make good reading. Since taking six expensive wickets in Adelaide
two years ago, he’s taken just two more in ODIs at a disappointing economy
rate. He undoubtedly has talent with the bat and as a new ball bowler in
English conditions. But, like Onions and Meaker, may find that limited-overs
cricket is not his forte.
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