Despite their recent victories over the West Indies and Sri Lanka, Ben Stokes’ England Test side has been left with a mighty void after legendary pacer Jimmy Anderson’s retirement.
Anderson, who finished with 704 Test wickets with a farewell Test at Lord’s against West Indies in July, championed the England seam department over two decades and 189 matches. Anderson also forged the most successful Test bowling pair with Stuart Broad, accumulating 1039 wickets together.
While the Bazball trend under head coach Brendon McCullum and Stokes has been to blood quicker pacers, England will be wary of the ignominy of not having won an Ashes series since 2015. England are slated to tour Australia for the next edition which will form a crucial part of the next ICC World Test Championship cycle.
An Australian Anderson?
As England continue to refine their bowling attack, former England cricketers Broad and Alec Stewart have thrown in an uncommon choice to lead England’s bowling charge Down Under.
The duo have suggested that England rope in former Australia pacer Dan Worrall for the next year’s Ashes after impressing in the County Championship over the last two seasons. Worrall, who appeared in three ODIs for Australia, made a switch to England to feature in the County Championship as a local player on the back of his British passport.
Peaches, seeds, nuts and cherries! Some elite highlights here from swing king Daniel 'Franky' Worrall, who turns 27 today… pic.twitter.com/4DFxz2smf4
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) July 10, 2018
Playing for Surrey, Worrall has racked up 139 wickets at a 21.17 average in the last three seasons. According to English rules, Worrall will be deemed eligible for an England call-up by April 2025. The 33-year-old had also hinted that ‘he would go’ should a surprise England call-up come his way.
Former England and Surrey wicket-keeper batter Stewart, who has seen Worrall ply his trade for the Oval-based county side, lauded the bowler’s quality, likening him to the legendary Anderson.
“After Jimmy Anderson, over the last two years he’s the best bowler in the country,” Stewart told the London Telegraph.
“He is as close to Jimmy Anderson skills wise that I’ve seen, and he’s just got better and better. Would I pick him? We’re about winning, so yes.”
For the first time in #TheHundred history, 0 runs are scored from the first 10 balls of the match!
Well bowled, Dan Worrall 👏 pic.twitter.com/JapatL3Uen
— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 1, 2024
While Stewart admitted that he would like to see more English players represent the country, he also insisted the need for the team to put up a stronger fight in the Ashes. England have lost 13 and drawn two of the 15 Tests in their three previous tours to Australia in 2015, 2017 and 2021.
“If he gets picked, there will be plenty of headlines and plenty of comments, but we have got to move with the times,” Stewart said.
“Really, it’s not ideal, I just want people born and bred in England, grew up wanting to play for England. But while the regulations are there, he’s just going to strengthen England’s bowling because he is a serious cricketer,” Stewart remarked.
‘Standout in County cricket’
England Test legend Broad also reserved high praise for Worrall.
“I’m a huge fan of Dan’s bowling – he’s the standout player in county cricket,” Broad said. “He moves the ball consistently. I like what he does with the wide angle on the crease, he can swing the ball away and nip it back.
“He has a lot of weapons in his armoury. There is no doubt he will be in the selectors’ thoughts because you could get a couple of great years from him. Ultimately, playing for him will be about winning Tests,” Broad added.
Worall, who represented South Australia before his move to England, nabbed 184 wickets at 29.03 with the red-all in Australian conditions
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