Stuart Broad analyzes England’s bowling failures, Josh Tongue’s rise, and Mark Wood’s potential retirement.
Stuart Broad’s Indictment
Is it possible to possess the fastest bowling unit in English history and still deliver “one of the worst displays of bowling” ever seen? According to Stuart Broad, the answer isn’t just a “yes”—it’s a searing indictment of a strategy built on the ghosts of Ashes past.
As England licks its wounds from a 3-1 series scoreline, the legendary seamer has pulled no punches in identifying who belongs in the “cauldron” and who is merely making the captain look silly.
The Rise of the Smith-Slayer
While the series has been a bruising affair, Josh Tongue has emerged as a rare tactical triumph. With 12 wickets at a staggering average of 18.58, Tongue hasn’t just survived; he has thrived.
Broad’s assessment is blunt: England missed a trick by not unleashing him earlier at Optus Stadium or the Gabba.
Tongue’s value lies in his unique geometry—bowling from a wider angle and moving the ball away.
Most importantly, he has mastered the rarest feat in modern cricket: getting Steve Smith out five times across Test and County levels.
He is the wildcard that worked, even if he requires a “defensive” partner to mop up his occasional loose deliveries.
The Psychology of the Stare
Perhaps the most intriguing critique is reserved for Gus Atkinson. Despite his “amazing attributes” and sub-25 average, Stuart Broad identifies a flaw that isn’t found in a scorebook: body language.
Drawing a comparison to Tiger Woods, Stuart Broad argues that Atkinson’s tendency to look at the floor after a bad ball invites the opposition to dominate.
- Key Takeaway: In the heat of an Ashes battle, a bowler’s eyes must remain above the horizon. If the batsman can’t tell if you’re struggling, you are still in the fight.
The New Ball Mismatch
Brydon Carse has been the engine room of the attack, but Stuart Broad’s verdict is a cold splash of water: Carse is not a new-ball bowler.
While his heart is immense, his economy rate—leaking five runs per over across three Tests—is unsustainable for a frontline seamer.
By handing him the new cherry, England has arguably “made the captain look silly,” particularly against Travis Head, who has feasted on the width provided.
Hunting Pavements of the Past
The most damning part of Stuart Broad’s analysis is the “strategic lag.” It appears England spent 18 months building a “hit the deck” pace battery designed for pitches from a decade ago.
While they found success on day one of the series with raw pace, the inability to consistently “hit the top of the stumps” has been their undoing.
England’s failure against left-handers has been a recurring nightmare. By missing both line and length simultaneously, they allowed Australia to break records for runs scored behind square on the off-side.
It is a fundamental technical failure that no amount of 90mph heat can compensate for.
The Sunset of a Speedster
Finally, we reach the sobering reality of Mark Wood. After flying home with yet another knee injury, Stuart Broad suggests we may have seen the last of the Durham man in an England shirt. “Three years of pain” have finally caught up.
In contrast, Jofra Archer’s return—nine wickets and three Tests completed—is viewed as a “good return,” though his latest side strain keeps the anxiety levels high.
Summary of Key Points:
- Josh Tongue is the clear winner of the tour, proving his worth as a tactical weapon against elite batters.
- Body Language is a genuine technical requirement; Gus Atkinson must learn to project dominance even when under fire.
- Tactical Error: Ben Stokes is England’s best “top of stumps” bowler but has been strangely reluctant to use himself.
- The End of an Era: Mark Wood’s international career appears to be over after a grueling battle with his own anatomy.