Ahead of the fifth and final Test match against Team India, England`s lead pacer Jofra Archer should be rested, feels former quick bowler Stuart Broad.
“We can`t not have Archer for four years, bring him back and then bowl him into the ground and not see him for another four years,” Broad said on Sky Sports.
Archer was in red-hot form, picking a wicket with his third ball and finishing with a match-haul of five wickets in his comeback Test at Lord`s. He played in the just-concluded fourth Test at Manchester as well.
In Archer`s place, Broad feels Gus Atkinson should be picked. The former cricketer also said that Atkison has not yet been challenged against a top-level opposition like Team India in the traditional format of the game.
“I think Gus Atkinson has to play. I know he has not had any workload, but we need to see him. He hasn`t been really challenged against top-level opposition in Test cricket yet,” said Brod, who has represented England in 167 Test matches.
Further, Stuart Broad criticised Brydon Carse by saying he looks like his legs have left him.
“(Brydon) Carse looked knackered in the fourth Test. He has been a trier and given absolutely everything, but looks like his legs have left him for this series, so Atkinson gets the nod,” said the pacer.
“(Josh) Tongue started the series, and I know he mainly got lower-order players out, but you probably have a natural replacement for Archer,” concluded the veteran of 604 Test wickets.
Currently, the `Three Lions` are leading the five-match Test series by 2-1 against Team India. The last match is scheduled to be played from July 31 at The Oval. The visitors will come strong in the final match, after registering a draw in the fourth match.
Additionally, from India`s perspective, it will be interesting to see if their lead pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, lines up for the final Test. The pacer was advised not to play in consecutive Test matches, considering his workload management. If India`s think tank provides him with the rest, Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna are the two bowlers who can make their appearance on the field.
(With PTI Inputs)
