Darren Gough claims current England attack their best since 2005

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Darren Gough claims current England attack their best since 2005 | Former fast bowler Gough thinks current England attack best since 2005

Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

Darren Gough claims current England attack their best since 2005 | Former fast bowler Gough thinks current England attack best since 2005

Former England fast bowler Darren Gough believes that England’s current crop of bowlers is the country’s best since the triumphant Ashes series of 2005.

Speaking to ESPNCricinfo ahead of England’s Test series vs West Indies, Gough said that the attack has everything needed to succeed in the demanding environment that is Test cricket.

“It’s as good as they’ve had since 2005. It’s got everything. They’ve got a great chance of winning in Australia [in 2021-22], they really have,” said Gough.

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In terms of the pace attack, the two stalwarts, James Anderson and Stuart Broad, enter the backend of their careers. However, Gough remains optimistic about England’s prospects, and has singled out Chris Woakes as the next leader of the attack.

Gough, who was bowling consultant for England during their tour of New Zealand in late 2019, was particularly impressed with Woakes’ commitment and desire to improve overseas. It is well-known that the difference between Woakes home and away bowling averages is significant (23.45 vs 51.68), but Gough sees something in Woakes, so much so that he sat him down for a one-on-one chat.

“I sat him down in New Zealand and I said to him: ‘Do you want to be known as a bowler that’s good in England? Or do you want to be in the team all year round? And how much do you want it?’ And he wants it, he really does.”

Darren Gough claims current England attack their best since 2005 | Former fast bowler Gough thinks current England attack best since 2005
Darren Gough backs Chris Woakes to be the “figurehead” in the next 18 months

Gough noticed Woakes’ speeds were up. “I was impressed. In New Zealand and in South Africa, he bowled quicker. He can afford to bowl at 90% in England on most pitches, because they’ll always do a bit and every bowler will be in the game.”

“But when they go abroad, they try and do the same thing and they wonder why they’re not in the game. For Woakes, he can bowl quickly. I’d like to think it’s clicked now with him. This summer, now he’s in England, he’ll be able to step off the pedal and rest the body.”

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Gough is also optimistic about England’s pace stocks, which comprises of Jofra Archer, Olly Stone, Mark Wood and Saqib Mahmood. Also, with Jack Leach and Dom Bess showing some good signs so far in Test cricket, he believes the spinner(s) chosen in the Test side will complement the seamers well. This is particularly important as use of saliva has been banned.

“They’ll look to play a spinner, because good ones will play a part. [England] have got options in spin now too: they’ve got Moeen Ali – he’s not a world-class spinner, but he’s a performer and he bowls oppositions out. You’ve got Jack Leach as the left-arm option, you’ve got Dom Bess, the youngster.”

England’s Test series against West Indies begins on July 8.

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