As the English summer of Test cricket draws to a close, the team finds itself in a peculiar position. After a series that has felt like a crisis at times, Joe Root’s side now heads into the final match against Pakistan with one clear talking point: should the bowling unit be rested or should England keep its most effective weapons on the field?
The broader narrative of the tour has been dominated by Pakistan’s internal turmoil—sacking their head coach and reshuffling seven members of the touring party after losses at Headingley and Lord's—while England’s own off‑field drama appears largely settled, aside from the lingering absence of Brydon Carse, who was briefly detained after an incident outside a Derby nightclub in August. Carse remains out of the 15‑man squad for the Edgbaston Test, and fellow quick Matthew Fisher has also been dropped, leaving a fast‑bowling attack that largely mirrors the group that played at Lord's.
With the series already secured, England now faces a strategic choice. They could give some of their cross‑format bowlers a breather before the upcoming white‑ball series against Sri Lanka, which includes a three‑match T20I series starting just two days after the Test, followed by three 50‑over games later in September. Resting key bowlers would preserve their fitness for the limited‑overs contests, but it also risks disrupting the rhythm of a unit that has performed admirably throughout the summer.
The most striking development of the tour has been the emergence of a new‑look pace attack comprising Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue. Three of the four—Archer, Atkinson and Tongue—are also members of England’s T20 and ODI squads for the Sri Lanka series, while Robinson is currently not part of the white‑ball plans. Sky Sports has weighed in on whether the incumbents should be rested and which fringe players could step in. **Jofra Archer** Archer, England’s marquee fast bowler, has enjoyed a promising summer from a fitness perspective, delivering consistently high‑quality spells in four of the five Tests he has featured in.
After a four‑year hiatus from Test cricket, the 31‑year‑old’s return has been a boon for the side. He has openly expressed his contentment, saying, "My body is in a good place, the team is in a good place, and everyone is in a good place. I just want to play cricket." While his words are reassuring, Archer’s presence in any XI is almost a given when he is fit.
The prudent approach for England would be to manage his workload carefully, ensuring he remains fresh for the home Ashes next summer and for the white‑ball series that follows. **Gus Atkinson** The Surrey paceman has also featured in four of the five Tests, missing only the second Test against New Zealand due to a nightclub incident that also involved former captain Ben Stokes. Atkinson’s figures against Pakistan have been modest; he claimed just one wicket out of the 38 that fell across the two matches.
Nonetheless, his pace and ability to swing the ball make him a valuable asset, especially against a Pakistan batting line‑up that has shown vulnerability. Giving Atkinson another opportunity in the Edgbaston Test could boost his confidence and provide England with a fresh attacking option before he returns to the limited‑overs schedule. **Josh Tongue** Tongue, representing Nottinghamshire, is the only bowler to have played all five Tests this summer.
His consistency, combined with strong performances in previous series against Australia and India, has made him a cornerstone for the incoming head coach Stephen Fleming. Consistently bowling at speeds close to 90 mph is physically demanding, and like Archer, Tongue would benefit from managed minutes to preserve his longevity, particularly with the white‑ball commitments looming. **Ollie Robinson** Robinson has arguably been the star of the series, snaring 16 Pakistani wickets at an astonishing average of 7.18 and an economy rate of just 2.05. A knee injury curtailed his momentum after a brilliant debut against New Zealand, sidelining him for the next match and seeing him miss the series finale.
As the 32‑year‑old is not slated for the upcoming white‑ball series, the Edgbaston Test presents a perfect platform for him to lead the attack and demonstrate his durability over a full five‑day contest. **Sonny Baker** At just 23, Baker is one of the most exciting prospects in England’s pace department.
He was drafted into the squad for the second Test at Lord's after Carse’s off‑field issues and retained over Fisher, suggesting he impressed in the nets. His debut was challenging, yielding figures of 3‑161 in a loss to New Zealand at The Oval, but exposure to Test cricket at a young age could accelerate his development. Since he is also part of the white‑ball squads for Sri Lanka, England could afford to give him a few overs in the Test to build experience without compromising the main attack.
**Sam Cook** Cook’s Test résumé is limited to a solitary appearance against Zimbabwe in May 2025, where he managed just one wicket. However, his recent County Championship form—39 wickets in nine matches at an average just above 19—indicates he is in good rhythm.
At 29, he may not have the same developmental runway as Baker, but he could be a reliable, seasoned option if England wishes to rotate its frontline bowlers. **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 by Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum in 2024, he was earmarked for the Australian tour but did not feature in any of the five Tests. He returned for two Tests against New Zealand this summer, delivering figures of 3‑147 at Trent Bridge.
While spin can be useful at Edgbaston, England’s forthcoming series in South Africa and the home Ashes are likely to favor pace, suggesting that the focus may remain on the seam attack. In summary, England faces a balancing act: preserve the freshness of its premier fast bowlers for the imminent white‑ball series while still fielding a potent attack to finish the Pakistan Test strongly. Resting Archer, Tongue or Atkinson could safeguard them for the next few months, but it would also mean handing opportunities to younger players like Baker, Cook or even Bashir.
The decision will hinge on the coaching staff’s assessment of fitness, form and the strategic importance of maintaining momentum heading into the crucial series that lie ahead.