As Ashes travels to Leeds for Round 3, where England now have won their last 4 test matches!.
Their selectors feel their bowling is not as strong as it should be at home .To strengthen it they have made three changes. Mark Wood, Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali are included in their playing XI. They have replaced James Anderson, Josh Tongue and Ollie Pope. Pope is out of the series with shoulder injury.
So far in last 12 months Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have managed their bowling workload well. England have bowled more than their opponents with better strike rate x run rate.
The reason being
- When they bat they score quickly in less overs!.
- Most of the times England prefers to field first if they win the toss. This allows their bowlers to bowl first taking advantage of any assistance the surface has to offer.
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Before this ongoing Ashes series, only 6 times England batted beyond the 80th overs (25inns, 12 Tests), compare to 15 x 80 + overs for their opponents.
Below is England’s bowling work load under Ben Stokes. On average a spell will last between 4-6 overs for England depending on various factor. It is interesting to notice England don’t rely heavily on their spinners whether they are playing at home or away.
So far in 2 Ashes tests the work load has been managed by Stuard Broad and Ollie Robinson with decent support from captain Stokes, Joe Root. The role play of other bowlers has been wanting for England. Josh Tongue was excellent in his 2nd test match of his career....but its Anderson's performance that has bothered England!. His inablity to pick wickets on pitches that is unfamilar of English grounds. Before the Ashes Anderson has been brilliant with ball picking 45 wickets 17.62 Avg with St.Rate of 42.10.....however in ongoing Ashes he has been most inffective bowler from both sides!. In 4 inns 3 wickets 75 Avg with St. Rate of 154.
From above table its is very clear English bowlers have bowled longer spells compare to Aussies, Nathan Lyon apart average spell is 4 overs.
Interestingly in last Ashes 2019 Australians bowled more overs (877) compare to England(784) with avearage of 4.61 overs/ spell for England, Australia 3.81 overs/spell
