The Dark Knight wrote:bulldogproud wrote:Although there is certainly bad news for England's bowling stocks, it may not be as bad as feared in the above post. Although Ollie Robinson did need painkilling injections, it was probably due to the amount he bowled: he took 14 wickets in that match!! Also, although Mark Wood is currently on paternity leave, he is expected to play in the Ashes.
Yes, the news re Joffra is worse than was earlier thought. He won't be fit for the first test... and maybe longer. The same applies to Ollie Stone.
Thus, the English attack for the first half of the Ashes is likely to come from: Anderson, Broad, Robinson, Wood, Potts and Stokes. Not a bad lineup but it would be good to have a fit Joffra and Stone.
Don't forget about Woakes BP, that makes a group of seven including Stokes. Handy cricketer, especially in England but I can't see Woakes 'balancing the lineup' at number seven for England.
No mention of Potts in that article means the writer of that article either forgot about him or doesn't rate him and questioning Wood's availability due to paternity leave is reaching a bit.
Archer playing test cricket again is more of a hope than anything and there's been a continual question mark on him and his problematic elbow for three/four years now.
Very good points, Dark Knight, not sure how I forgot Woakesy. I think there will be a spot for him in a test or two.