As the English summer of Test cricket draws to a close – a season that has often seemed to be in turmoil – Joe Root’s side now faces a single, decisive question ahead of the final showdown with Pakistan: should the pace unit be rested and rotated, or should England press on with a full‑throttle attack? The broader narrative of the series has been dominated not by England’s on‑field performances but by Pakistan’s off‑field drama, including the dismissal of their head coach and the removal of seven squad members after the defeats at Headingley and Lord’s. The Edgbaston squad for the third Test still lacks Brydon Carse, who was arrested after an incident outside a Derby nightclub in August, and Matthew Fisher, who has been dropped. The remaining 13 players all featured in the Lord’s match, meaning the core of the side is set.
With the series already secured, England now has the luxury of considering a rest for some of its cross‑format pacemen before the upcoming white‑ball series against Sri Lanka – a set of three T20 Internationals beginning just two days after the Test, followed by three One‑Day Internationals later in September. One of the most encouraging storylines of the summer has been the emergence of a refreshed fast‑bowling contingent comprising Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue. Three of the quartet – Archer, Atkinson and Tongue – are also named in England’s T20 and ODI squads for the Sri Lanka tour, leaving only Robinson out of the limited‑overs plans.
As Sky Sports prepares to reveal the final Test XI, the broadcaster weighs the pros and cons of giving any of these bowlers a break and examines potential replacements. **Jofra Archer** Archer has enjoyed a surprisingly robust summer, featuring in four of the five Tests and delivering consistently high‑quality spells. After a four‑year hiatus from Test cricket, the 31‑year‑old’s fitness and form have been vital to England’s success.
Archer himself has said he feels "in a good place" physically and mentally and simply wants to keep playing. While his health appears solid, England’s management must think long‑term; preserving Archer’s freshness for the home Ashes next year could be as important as the immediate series win.
**Gus Atkinson** The Surrey quick has also played in four Tests, missing only the second New Zealand match due to a nightclub incident that also involved former captain Ben Stokes. Atkinson’s figures against Pakistan have been modest – just one wicket out of the 38 that fell across the two games – but his pace and ability to bowl at the death in limited‑overs cricket make him a valuable asset.
Given his role in the white‑ball side, a brief spell in the final Test could give him a chance to exploit a relatively fragile Pakistani batting line‑up before he returns to the shorter formats. **Josh Tongue** Tongue, representing Nottinghamshire, is the only bowler to have featured in all five Tests of the summer.
His performances, both in this series and in earlier contests against Australia and India, have cemented his place in the eyes of incoming head coach Stephen Fleming. Consistently bowling around the 90‑mph mark is physically demanding, and like Archer, Tongue would benefit from a short rest before the white‑ball commitments begin. **Ollie Robinson** Robinson has arguably been the star of the series, snaring 16 wickets at an astonishing average of 7.18 and an economy of 2.05. A knee injury curtailed his momentum after a brilliant debut against New Zealand, and he missed the second Test before being overlooked for the series finale.
As a specialist Test bowler not involved in the white‑ball squads, Robinson has a prime opportunity to lead England’s attack at Edgbaston and demonstrate that he can endure a full series despite past injury setbacks. **Sonny Baker** At just 23, Baker is one of the most exciting prospects in England’s pace pool. He was called into the squad for the Lord’s Test after Carse’s off‑field issues and retained over Fisher, suggesting he impressed in the nets. His debut against New Zealand was tough – 3 for 161 – but the experience could be invaluable.
With the unpredictability of injuries, giving Baker additional Test exposure now could accelerate his development, especially as he is also part of the white‑ball squads for the Sri Lanka tour. **Sam Cook** Cook’s sole Test appearance to date – a solitary wicket against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge in May 2025 – was underwhelming. However, his recent County Championship form has been impressive, claiming 39 wickets in nine matches at an average just above 19.
At 29, Cook may not have the same developmental runway as Baker, but he is a ready‑made option for immediate inclusion if England wishes to broaden its pace options. **Shoaib Bashir** England’s leading spinner, Bashir, is still under 23 and has already experienced a roller‑coaster international career.
Fast‑tracked into the side in 2024, he missed the entire Australian tour and then featured in two Tests against New Zealand, delivering 3 for 147 at Trent Bridge. While spin can be useful at Edgbaston, the upcoming Test series in South Africa and the home Ashes against Australia may not demand a heavy spin emphasis, potentially making pace a higher priority. In summary, England faces a strategic dilemma. Resting Archer and Tongue could preserve their longevity for the Ashes, while giving Atkinson, Baker or Cook a chance would add depth and experience to the attack.
Robinson, given his stellar performance and lack of white‑ball duties, should arguably lead the bowling unit in the final Test. The decision will hinge on balancing short‑term dominance against long‑term player welfare and the demands of the forthcoming white‑ball schedule.