Ben Stokes’ England is gearing up for a challenging three-Test series against Pakistan, starting on Monday in Multan. The tourists carry the momentum of an astonishing 3-0 series sweep against Pakistan in 2022 and aim to capitalize on their recent form, having won five of their last six Tests. However, they face a Pakistan side currently reeling from a crushing defeat to Bangladesh.
One of the significant talking points for England is the absence of skipper Ben Stokes, who will miss the first Test due to a torn hamstring. Although he played a crucial role in England’s recent series victory against Sri Lanka, his leadership and all-round capabilities are sorely missed. The team will need to reassess its balance without him, as they played five frontline bowlers in the last series. While it’s possible that Stokes could return as a specialist batsman, it remains uncertain if he will bowl. The likely strategy may involve playing four specialist bowlers and relying on Joe Root’s off-spin to fill the gaps.
The 2022 tour introduced the aggressive “Bazball” approach under coach Brendon McCullum, characterized by an all-out attack. England set a record during that series, scoring an astonishing 506-4 in their first innings at Rawalpindi. However, after a 4-1 series loss in India earlier this year, the team has worked to refine its strategy, adopting a more controlled form of aggression that has yielded positive results. As Stuart Broad highlighted, the batting group is well-equipped to handle spin, suggesting that a fast-paced approach will be essential to secure results in Pakistan’s conditions.
Another concern for England is the inexperience of their bowling attack, especially following the retirement of veteran bowlers Broad and James Anderson. Chris Woakes is now the senior paceman, but his overseas Test performance has been lackluster. Meanwhile, express bowler Mark Wood is unavailable due to injury. The squad features a relatively untested group of seamers, including Gus Atkinson, who has taken 34 wickets in just six Tests, alongside Matthew Potts, Olly Stone, and debutant Brydon Carse, whose combined experience is minimal. The spin department, led by left-armer Jack Leach, also lacks experience, which could prove costly.
Broad expressed concern about the challenges posed by inexperience, particularly in high-pressure situations. “It’s very difficult to go into a Test match, particularly when Ben Stokes isn’t playing or not bowling with three very inexperienced bowlers, because if it goes wrong and the spinner’s inexperienced, you could lose a Test match in an hour,” he noted. As England prepares for the series opener, they will need to find a balance between their aggressive style and the realities of a new and inexperienced bowling lineup.
