Nasser Hussain has warned that, given the current conditions, any international side would struggle against England’s potent bowling quartet. The English bowlers dismantled Pakistan once more, securing a series victory with a match still to play. The relatively inexperienced Pakistani team have been bowled out for under 200 runs in each of the four innings so far, managing to bat through more than 50 overs only once.
Their collapse has been driven by the pinpoint accuracy of Ollie Robinson, bolstered by the raw pace of Jofra Archer, the angle provided by Josh Tongue and the skiddy speed of Gus Atkinson. The conversation has naturally shifted to how this four‑man attack might perform in the home Ashes series next summer – a trophy England are eager to reclaim after more than a decade without success – as well as a tantalising tour of South Africa later this winter. Speaking after England wrapped up Pakistan for 194 on day four at Lord’s, clinching an unassailable 2‑0 lead in the three‑match series, the former England captain told Sky Sports, "That four‑pronged attack looks really strong, offering so many different things. Robinson is hugely skilful, Tongue has the angle, Atkinson has his skiddy pace and Archer is just box office.
When he bounced out Babar Azam it reminded me of the spell he bowled to Steve Smith in the 2019 Ashes. I wouldn’t judge them on how they go against Pakistan but I think pretty much any side in world cricket would find it hard work against this attack, in these conditions. I also think this attack would have gone really well in the last Ashes and I think it will go really well in South Africa but it will be tested more." Robinson has been the spearhead, claiming 16 wickets across the first two Tests at an astonishing average of 7.18.
Adding his seven‑wicket haul against New Zealand at Lord’s in June, his summer tally stands at an eye‑catching 23 wickets at 8.34. The 32‑year‑old had spent over two years out of the England set‑up, largely due to fitness concerns, before being recalled. His resurgence has underlined the gap that existed in England’s attack during the drubbing they suffered in the previous Ashes. Hussain praised Robinson, saying, "England bowled in some very useful conditions in The Ashes and kept dishing up short and wide deliveries – Travis Head could not believe the amount of cut shots he got away.
It’s been nice these last few months to see an England opening bowler using the skills he has to target the stumps and the pads, making sure he is always in the game. That’s what Robinson does from the first ball to his last. There will be more questions asked of him, on difficult pitches to bowl seam on – his fitness will have to come into play.
But in these conditions, he’s England’s best bowler – as good as you get. For someone who was left out of the side for quite some time to suddenly come back and be England’s best bowler is some achievement. You have to take your hat off to him.
He now has to ask himself, the backroom staff, and people like Stuart Broad and James Anderson, ‘what do I need to do to become the complete bowler?’ That’s how you grow as a player and a team." Archer, who has taken eight wickets in the series so far, delivered his fastest opening spell in Test cricket at Lord’s, clocking an average speed of 90.7 mph according to CricViz. Hussain recalled a conversation with Archer during the ODI series against India, where the fast bowler modestly claimed, "I am consistently bowling well," adding that his fitness has been evident throughout the summer.
Concerns about his workload after returning from the IPL were allayed as he featured in every match, allowing him to maintain his rhythm and speed. Broad noted that continuous play helps bowlers avoid the drop in form that can occur after long breaks.
Broad himself has expressed confidence in the current attack, arguing there is little need to introduce a frontline spinner at this stage. He warned, however, that the bowler‑friendly conditions in England may limit the amount of learning that can be drawn from the success. "Robinson hits immaculate areas and moves the ball consistently.
The other seamers hit 90 mph consistently, so you have variety. My belief is that we don’t have a good enough spinner so why bother when you have South Africa away and the Ashes next summer? Root will be delighted with what he has seen but what will frustrate him slightly is how much the ball has been doing. I don’t think we are learning a huge amount about the bowling unit or batting unit as it has been such different conditions.
You don’t see Test match batters get bowled or lbw as much as we have seen this summer and that is due to conditions. I don’t know if we will end the summer going, ‘we have learnt so much about this team, we are positive about what’s coming in the future’, but two wins out of two is exactly what you’d expect and the team have delivered." Looking ahead, England will aim to translate this dominant bowling display into the upcoming Ashes at home, where the combination of swing, seam, and raw pace could prove decisive. The South Africa tour will present a different set of challenges, with harder pitches and less assistance for seamers, testing whether the quartet can adapt their tactics and maintain intensity.
In summary, Hussain’s assessment underscores the quality and versatility of England’s current pace attack. With Robinson’s accuracy, Tongue’s angle, Atkinson’s skiddy bounce and Archer’s sheer speed, the unit offers a multifaceted threat that could trouble any opposition, be it in familiar English conditions or on foreign soil. Their performances have already secured a series win over Pakistan and set the stage for what could be a pivotal period in English cricket, as they prepare for the next Ashes and a demanding South African assignment.