England's Pace Worries: 2022

England is starting a new season with a lot of new faces around. They have a new manager, a new coach, and a new captain. With all the new personnel around though, England is going back to their two best pacers, James Anderson and Stuart Broad, who was dropped in the West Indies. While both pacers are returning, England continues to have another concern. Almost all the pacers they tried in the last few months are struggling with injury, and their recovery periods are still uncertain.

Mark Wood

Mark Wood went into the Ashes as England’s only express pace bowler. He is the latest of England’s fast men to succumb to an injury, and despite having his workload looked after a little better than the other bowlers, Mark Wood has struggled with a slightly severe injury. His injury started of as an elbow niggle, similar to Jofra Archer, but has now led to surgery. The surgery has gone through successfully but Mark Wood’s recovery may take time, leaving him out of the upcoming Test series. He may not play test cricket at all for a while as England have a lot of white-ball assignments for which they would want him to be fit.

Jofra Archer

Jofra Archer’s injury was one that could be brought down due to a heavy workload. He came into the English team as hot property with his pace and unique run-up, but couldn’t handle the pressure of Test cricket, having to carry the burden of an express pacer on his own. There were other options, but Jofra Archer’s talent made him an indispensable part of the side in all formats, and a must-have bowler on the flight to Australia last year.

Jofra Archer’s body could not handle the workload, and he has undergone two elbow surgeries last year. He was ruled out for an year and is slowly making his way back to Cricket after a long break from the game.

Ollie Robinson

With Anderson and Broad aging, Ollie Robinson is seen as the future of the English pace attack. His height and bounce give him a strong advantage, but Robinson has struggled with fitness issues since the Hobart Test last year. He is struggling with his body in the ongoing County season and has resorted to spells of off-spin. With issues to the hamstring and shoulder haunting him, the selectors have decided to not bring him back to the Test side just yet.

Chris Woakes

A factor behind the dropping of James Anderson and Stuart Broad was to allow Chris Woakes to take some leadership in the bowling attack. His numbers overseas though are unimpressive and despite playing all three of the Caribbean Tests, Chris Woakes struggled. He is still an integral part of the bowling attack at home, but an injury to him now leaves England short of a senior pacer who is strong at home.

Saqib Mahmood

England’s latest 90 MPH superstar started his career well in the Caribbean. He displayed a lot of potential but his progress has now been frustratingly cut short. He is now nursing a stress fracture and will be out for the rest of the County season, rendering him unavailable for any Cricket this summer.

Matthew Fisher

Matthew Fisher made his debut along with Saqib Mahmood and showed strong signs with his bowling up front. He can handle the new ball nicely and would have been a walk-in to the England squad. However, Matthew Fisher has a back injury of his own, leading him to miss the New Zealand series coming up.

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Sam Curran

Sam Curran was an integral part of the Test side a few months ago. His all-round skills, swing bowling and aggressive batting make him a valuable asset in all three formats of the game. With a lot of cricket behind him though, the workload finally hit Sam Curran as he also attained a stress fracture to his back. The injury ruled him out of the T20 World Cup, Ashes and the IPL. He is now slowly making his way back, but his workload is nowhere near enough to bring him back for the New Zealand Tests. With the World Cup coming up, England may not want to risk Sam Curran as well, with the World Cup coming up.

Olly Stone

Olly Stone was another pacer who England had hope on in Australia. He bowls at a high pace, is tall and seemed perfect for Australian conditions. An injury though changed the situation for him as Olly Stone was ruled out for an indefinite period and is yet to make a comeback.