Ben Stokes pins hopes on Chris Woakes to lead England attack against West Indies - 'Exciting time to be a fast bowler'
Updated 17/07/2024 at 16:27 GMT+1
Captain Ben Stokes has said that now is “an exciting time to be a fast bowler in England" as he looked forward to Chris Woakes leading the attack in England's second test against the West Indies. England are without James Anderson after his retirement in the first Test at Lord's last week and will be without either him or Stuart Broad for the first time in 12 years.
Christian drops Pietersen off Lee in Legends match between England and Australia
Video credit: TNT Sports
England captain Ben Stokes believes that now is “an exciting time to be a fast bowler in England” as they begin to prepare for life without James Anderson after his retirement.
England great Anderson retired from international duty after the side’s first Test against the West Indies at Lord’s last week, where the hosts inflicted a 114-run rout of the visitors.
Their second Test against the West Indies at Trent Bridge on Thursday will be the first match without either Anderson or Stuart Broad since 2012, and England will be without their combined 1,308 Test wickets.
“Without sounding too over the top, there was always going to be a time where that was going to hit English cricket,” Stokes said.
“There are going to be opportunities for guys throughout the rest of the summer and over the next 18 months to two years.”
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Chris Woakes, who will play his 50th Test, has been highlighted by Stokes as someone who will “lead the attack” and share the new ball with Gus Atkinson.
“I see this as an opportunity for someone like Chris Woakes to take on more of a leadership role in the bowling unit,” continued Stokes.
“Woakesy is a very experienced bowler, a very experienced player. We’ve been so used to Jimmy and Broady doing that so it’s a great opportunity for him. He’s a phenomenal performer, particularly in England. It’s great for him to be able to lead the attack.
"I’ve always had quite a lot of input speaking to the bowlers, I’m a bowler as well, so it’s a great opportunity for someone else to stand up and be that person.”
“Gus and Woakesy will take the new ball. I first saw Gus live in the World Cup in India. He just had all the attributes of a very, very good bowler," Stokes added.
Atkinson took 12 wickets on debut in last week’s victory at Lord’s.
Mark Wood has been recalled to take Anderson’s place, and Stokes is excited at the prospect of Wood and Atkinson bowling in tandem.
“It’s a really exciting time to be a fast bowler in England,” said Stokes. "It is very exciting, the prospect of seeing Gus Atkinson bowl at one end and Mark Wood at the other."
Stokes also named Dillon Pennington, one of the unused fast bowlers in England’s squad.
“There will be opportunities for Dillon no doubt in the summer, but at this moment in time Woody makes it into our strongest XI," he added.
Ben Duckett and his fiancée Paige are expecting their first child in the coming days. Stokes noted that “there’s a plan in place” which would see Dan Lawrence come into the side in his place should Duckett miss the Test.
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West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite said his side are "ready to go" ahead of the second Test, where victory for England would give them an unassailable 2-0 lead and secure their first series win since Pakistan in 2022.
“The guys are very eager and ready to go,” said Brathwaite. “We have to bat better - we have to find a way. We have to put runs on the board. It’s simple.
“We believe 100% in the guys that played the first Test. Shamar has been good to go for a couple of days.”
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