Jofra Archer’s absence from this winter’s Ashes series is an enormous blow to England’s prospects. Mindful of the role of English pacemen such as Harold Larwood, Frank Tyson and John Snow in the winning of series in Australia, the planning for Joe Root’s second tour down under has long involved assembling as strong a pace battery as possible — and Archer, Olly Stone and Mark Wood were all identified for their ability to regularly top 90mph.
As things stand, only Wood can be confident of being in Brisbane for the series opener on December 8, but, at 31, he has such a history of injuries that he will not be taking anything for granted and cannot be expected to play more than three of the five Tests.
Wood was in the England squad for the Trent Bridge Test; he did not make the starting XI, but will feature against India at some stage in the next few weeks.
Stone has already been ruled out of the rest of the season with a stress fracture of the back that was diagnosed shortly after the Edgbaston Test against New Zealand in June. He ought to be fit to resume playing before the Australia tour but his body will not be hardened to match play and in those circumstances secondary injuries can arise. With the immediate future of Ben Stokes also in doubt, these are difficult times for everyone involved in the longer-term planning of England’s Test team.
Archer was outstanding against Australia in the Ashes series in 2019, taking 22 wickets in four matches and being named man of the match in England’s win at the Oval. Although he did not dismiss Steve Smith, he in effect removed him from the latter stages of the Lord’s Test, and the one that followed at Headingley, after striking him on the head during a ferocious spell on the Saturday of the second Test.
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Smith will be delighted by Archer’s absence, and Australia will be more confident about preparing pitches with pace in them without worrying about the retaliatory consequences.
England may not travel entirely without hope in respect of their pace attack. Ollie Robinson looks to have the build and method for Australian conditions, with a natural ability to generate good bounce and carry. He did well in Australia on an England Lions trip. He would have been a strong candidate for the tour even if Root had a full complement of quick men at his disposal.
Saqib Mahmood’s performances for England’s white-ball sides suggest a fast-improving operator. Craig Overton has the height and discipline to act as a strong support act. And then there are James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
Tall bowlers can be as valuable in Australia as fast ones. Steven Finn and Chris Tremlett played their part in England’s series win in 2010-11. India won there this past winter with an attack much disrupted by injuries and lacking anyone of high speed.
Who could replace Jofra in Australia?
Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire, 24)
Has clocked speeds up to 90mph and averages 19.92 in his seven ODI appearances.
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Olly Stone (Warwickshire, 27)
Can bowl over 90mph but will miss the entire summer with a stress fracture of his back.
Craig Overton (Somerset, 27)
Has played four Tests — two in the Ashes. Speeds in the mid-80s but hits the pitch hard.
Brydon Carse (26, Durham)
Made his England debut in the ODI series against Pakistan last month. Hits speeds of up to 90mph. In England Lions tour to Australia in early 2020 he took eight wickets against strong Australia A opposition.
Henry Brookes (21, Warwickshire)
Branded a “potential superstar” after his County Championship debut and earned a Lions call-up at the age of 18. Also hits 90mph regularly, but is injured.
George Garton (24, Sussex)
Fast left-arm seamer. Bowled over 90mph but is another player who has had injury concerns.
