PAK vs ENG: Joe Root 'excited' about new England bowling attack for Multan Test

Joe Root expressed excitement about England's revamped bowling attack featuring fresh talents like Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson, offering a balanced pace-spin combination for their first Test against Pakistan in Multan.

In Short

• Root hailed the new bowling combination as a fresh strategy
• England’s lineup featured debutant Carse and rising star Atkinson
• Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir added spin strength to England’s attack

Joe Root expressed his excitement about England's new-look bowling attack for the first Test against Pakistan in Multan, calling it an "exciting prospect" for the team. With debutant Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, and Jack Leach in the mix, England is set to experiment with fresh talent. Root emphasised that the new combination would allow England to try something different, bringing a balance of pace and spin to the table.

England's announced XI for the Multan Test features a varied bowling lineup, departing from their usual combination. Chris Woakes, Atkinson, and Carse form the pace options, while Leach and Shoaib Bashir provide the spin attack. This tactical shift gives England a chance to explore different avenues, especially in Pakistani conditions where spin could be a deciding factor.

"I think it's an exciting prospect. You know, having a completely new attack. It's a great opportunity for us to grow and develop as a test squad and to try something very different. I think for a long time before that last series here, we generally had a very similar attack in all conditions, and for us to now have a slightly different way of looking at the game and approaching things and trying to exploit what's what's right in front of us is a really exciting way to look at the game," Root said.

"It's a great opportunity for this group to do things differently again. Those sorts of chances and opportunities that come around really excite the group, and you know what a chance to go out there and potentially do something very special again," Root added.

England's XI for the first Test

1. Zak Crawley
2. Ben Duckett
3. Ollie Pope (C)
4. Joe Root
5. Harry Brook
6. Jamie Smith
7. Chris Woakes
8. Gus Atkinson
9. Brydon Carse (Debut)
10. Jack Leach
11. Shoaib Bashir

England’s last tour of Pakistan in 2022 saw the likes of James Anderson, Mark Wood, and Ollie Robinson leading the bowling attack. However, the situation has changed significantly. With Anderson now retired, Wood still recovering from injury, and Robinson out of contention, England has been forced to rethink its strategy. This has paved the way for newer faces like Carse and Atkinson, who will be under the spotlight in this series.

Gus Atkinson has been in stellar form, particularly following his impressive performance against Sri Lanka at home. His pace and ability to generate bounce could prove pivotal. Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir, with their spin prowess, will also be crucial, especially in subcontinental conditions that tend to favour spinners.