Former England pacer Stuart Broad has major concerns with the England attack that has been named for the first Test against India at Headingley. The Test match starts from 3:30 PM IST on Friday, June 20.
England, despite naming their XI for the first Test has areas of concerns as per the former pacer who is among the legends of the game. Broad was of the view that the hosts must address the concerns ahead of the first Test or else it will be too late.
Engalnd's bowling attack for the first Test consists of names like Chris Woakes who is making a comeback to Test cricket. Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue are the other two pacers for the first Test, with Tongue having just recovered from an injury. Shoaib Bashir is the specialist spinner in the side as England decided to field a four-man bowling attack with Ben Stokes and Joe Root as the other two options.
There Is Real Pressure - Stuart Broad On England Bowlers
England are without the likes of Mark Wood and Jofra Archer who are nursing injuries themselves. Meanwhile, with the bowling attack England have for the first Test, Start Broad is worried about how are they going to take 20 wickets.
“[Jasprit] Bumrah is the best in the world, but he won’t play all five Tests, and looking at England with the injuries they’ve got at the moment — where are they getting 20 wickets?” Broad told The Times.
“Chris Woakes will probably have the new ball. I love Woakesy, but I am worried about the amount of overs he’s bowled this summer — not enough. He’s someone who needs overs under his belt to get his rhythm. Not like Mark Wood, who can hit the ground running straight away after a layoff — Woakes needs to get going and find his rhythm" he added saying.
The former England seamer further said that the pressure of the first Test coupled with the ground conditions at Headingley, might get to the young bowlers who have not played too much cricket yet.
“There are some younger guys who have not played in the cauldron and intensity of an India or Australia series and it is the next level of scrutiny. There is real pressure. Headingley has a lightning-quick outfield — if you make any mistakes on your length, the batsman just whizzes away,”“If there are clouds, it can swing around, but if you get it wrong there you disappear at a rate of knots" Broad said.
Also Read: What happened the last time India played England in Tests?
Nasser Hussain Backs England To Win 3-1
Meanwhile, former England skipper Nasser Hussain has predicted the result of the Test series. He backed England to win the series with India missing Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma and England playing in home conditions.
“England have a very good record at home, and India will miss the runs and experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. It’s a hard one to call, but I think home advantage will swing it to England, and I’m going for 3-1" Hussain predicted.
Also Read: IND vs ENG 2025: "Rohit Sharma Will Not Be Missed A s Much As Virat Kohli" - Geoffrey Boycott
