Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

With another chapter of their autobiographies completed today I think it's time we brace ourselves for the departure of these two bowling behemoths lest we find ourselves in a situation akin to the opening batsman, whereby everyone and his dog gets a crack at it.

So the questions I ask are two:

Who will replace the pair of them?

And

How do we replace them? Wait until they fizzle out? Start rotating as of the next Test?

Broad is still young-ish, but the pair are so linked that everyone seems to assume Stuart will throw himself on Jimmy the Saint's funeral pyre.

But to answer the question, Woakes for Anderson and R-Jones for Broad.

Shame about FInn.

Resting apart, they should play as long as they get in on merit.

well, Santiago has got 4 years left in him, according to Bayleaf the gardener, so the player to replace him may not even have been given a senior contract yet

Easier than answering who should replace Cook and Strauss.

Roland-Jones is no spring chicken anymore, and strugggling with major back problems... I think Woakes or Curran for Jimmy, and then maybe Helm for Broad? Outside possiblity?

I think stokes could turn into a broad like bowler if he stays fit

Someone who bowls match turning spells one game then rubbish the next

In English conditions woakes has already shown he is a top class bowler who can get any batsmen out and can sort of soften the blow of losing Anderson

Not sure I have seen a bowler capable of turning around our fortunes away from home though

We need another Graeme swann to appear out of the blue

Tend to agree with Arthur that Woakes is the logical "new Anderson" ... but I guess it depends on how long he's waiting to step into the role : On present form you'd think Jimmy is good for a year or two yet. Never know with injuries , of course.
By the time Anderson does call it a day there might be someone else on the scene.
Curran is a different animal - and the left arm option makes his progress a very interesting matter.

Can't see Stokes as a full time bowler : think he's better as the fourth man ...with his batting likely to become more solid over time.

Finn indeed seems to have dropped off the radar ; TRJ looked a fine prospect but the injury issues may have derailed his train. What about J Overton ? Haven't seen him , myself. He appears to be rather inconsistent ; but pretty destructive on his day ...and a quicker , more "pure bowler" than his brother.

Fast bowlers can emerge quite suddenly. Would be nice if one or two do at the right time. As for planning : not much you can do but shuffle the prospects - as they've essentially been doing with Woakes & Curran ; you have to pick a team to win the matches you're playing and with the batting in a "delicate" state there isn't much scope for taking liberties with the bowlers.
Tour of Sri Lanka might be good for trying someone , depending on who tours ...but they might not get too many chances if the pitches call for massed spin attacks...

And the spin problem is , frankly , the more serious at present. Mo is good for home Tests but not so sure about overseas. And I'm far from convinced Rashid is the answer.

Not starting on the batting tonight

If they keep playing for another 2 years, who are the up and coming 20 year olds in the county scene? They are the ones that should be looked at as long term replacements.

Is maybe why Curran is getting a run out?

feels as though Curran is getting a run out on merit, rather than succession planning. But with succession in mind, being a leftie helps his cause, because if he proves himself to be good enough, then he offers the England attack genuine variation

I think Curran though will have the same problem the current English bowlers have when traveling.

time will tell, I suppose

Woakes and Jamie Porter.

yuppie wrote:I think Curran though will have the same problem the current English bowlers have when traveling.

I don't think so. He is only 20 and will get faster.

Last Test (Hawkeye)

Anderson 82.8-87.4
Broad 84.7-88.8
Stokes 81.4-85.0 played with injury but usually England's quickest
Curran 80.5-86.0

Don't see Curran making it as a bowler for long term.

Also are those stats above right as I saw some 78mph balls from him I swear?

Replace Jimmy Anderson with Ben Coad