Published: Aug 06, 2023, 02:30 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 06, 2023, 02:33 PM (IST)
FORMER England cricketer Ian Bell has tipped Ollie Robinson, Sam Cook, and Josh Tounge to fill the big shoes of ace pacer Stuart Broad who announced retirement from cricket after the fifth Ashes Test. Broad created a legacy of his own and ended his career as one of the greatest ever, with more than 600 Test wickets to his name.
With Broad Out, England have the task of compiling a strong bowling attack. Veteran James Anderson is also at the fag end of his career so the ‘Three Lions’ will have to take bold calls to avoid a significant transition phase, especially with a tough tour to India lined up.
Bell feels that England have enough depth in the bowling so they don’t have to worry about Broad’s retirement. Ollie Robinson is an obvious choice to take up Broad’s place as he has done well for England for a long time. Tongue also showed promise in the two games he played in Ashes, picking 10 wickets. Sam Cook is yet to make his debut but has a decent record in county cricket.
“Stuart Broad’s retirement means England need to find a replacement. I think as far as replacing Broad goes, England have options and they are down the road to finding some good operators. Ollie Robinson, of course, comes back into the team,” Bell told Betfair.
“Josh Tongue made his debut this summer and it looked as though he could handle the pressure of a big series. Sam Cook, from Essex, could do a job. I was with him with the Lions in Sri Lanka. He has a high skill level, hits the top of off with consistency like nobody else and his control of length is fantastic.”
Bell, however, said that England need to be patient with youngsters like Cook and Tongue.
‘What is key is recognising that guys like Tongue or Cook need time to bed in. You can’t expect either of them to be as good as Stuart straightaway,” said Bell.
England will take on India in a five-match Test series in January 2024.
