Stuart Broad says England can no longer ‘ignore’ Sam Cook and expects to see the Essex quick called up for the Test team’s upcoming series against the West Indies and Sri Lanka.
James Anderson, 41, the all-time leading wicket-taker for a pace bowler in Test cricket, confirmed last week that England’s opening contest of the summer versus the West Indies at Lord’s will be his last for his country.
It comes just months after Anderson’s long-time partner in crime, Broad, brought an end to his illustrious playing career, leaving an enormous void to fill for England at the start of an exciting new era under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes.
In a wide-ranging Sky Sports chat with Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain, Broad conceded this would be no simple task but picked out three bowlers who could be in the running to step up and use Anderson’s impending departure as an opportunity over the coming months.
Broad has been impressed by Josh Tongue, who caught the eye in England’s second Ashes Test at Lord’s last summer, and believes Gus Atkinson has the raw attributes to make an impression in the Test arena.
However, according to Broad, Cook – who has taken 275 first-class wickets at 19.48 – could be the ‘Jimmy-type style of bowler’ that England will look to for the long-term.
Asked which seamer is most likely to ‘spring forward’ ahead of the 2025 Ashes Down Under, Broad replied: ‘Gus Atkinson has attributes that I like. He’s tall, he’s quick, he moves the ball, he’s got a calm, smooth run up.
‘I’d actually liken him a little bit to Jofra [Archer] in his style of how he approaches it. So I think we’ll see him a little bit.
‘Then there’s fitness question marks over a few others isn’t there? [Josh] Tonguey has got a peck injury that he suffered in the winter.
‘But we’ve seen him play two Test matches and do really well so I think he deserves a bit of exposure.
‘The name that you can’t ignore that hasn’t played Test match cricket, who has been incredibly consistent for many years now, is Sam Cook. And could you look at him as maybe a Jimmy-type style of bowler in your bowling attack?
‘You know when you talk about players forcing their way into the team? He’s someone that you might not look at him necessarily as a Test match attribute bowler because always, in Test cricket, you have to have an X-factor, whether that’s height, extreme pace, movement, relentless accuracy.
‘What’s Sam Cook’s major strengths? Probably relentless accuracy. Will he get the same movement in Test match pitches? I don’t know but you don’t know until you try it and he takes wickets everywhere.
‘I watched him bowl at Trent Bridge, first game of the season, and he got ten wickets with the Kookaburra so he’s someone that who I would expect to see in a couple of squads and maybe in Pakistan and see what he can do in those sort of conditions.’
Broad advised young seamers with Test aspirations to work on their bouncers in County Cricket, with Stokes repeatedly turning to the tactic after taking over the reins as England captain two years ago.
‘It’s going to be fitness-led with all the young bowlers, it’s going to be who can peak at the right time in Australia,’ Broad added.
‘That’s one thing you have to consider as a selector. You can’t just pick someone now and you wear them down so they’re not ready for Australia.
‘What’s Ben Stokes’ favourite tactic from five down? Bouncers.
‘The stats back it up and it works if it’s executed really well so you can’t carry a bowler who doesn’t do that, I don’t think.
‘That will be come into play as well and if I was a young bowler I’d be practicing that in County Cricket so show that I’ve got that ability to do it and ruffle some feathers.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE : How James Anderson reacted in England retirement meeting as West Indies plan to ‘ruin’ farewell
MORE : Worcestershire cricketer Josh Baker dies aged 20
MORE : Jofra Archer recalled as England name T20 World Cup squad
