THE PACE RACE

James Anderson and Stuart Broad assess England's seamers ahead of 'era-defining' Tests against India and Australia

- HARRY LATHAM-COYLE

There is a sense of epochal change in English cricket. For the first time in more than 20 years, the men's Test summer began with neither Stuart Broad nor James Anderson available for selection, the former's grandstand Ashes finish at The Oval followed swiftly by his long-term partner's rather more enforced curtain-call at Lord's last summer. With the pair goes 1,308 Test wickets and the grey matter that comes with trundling in the best part of 75,000 times, combined, with red ball in hand.

While Anderson ploughs on increasingly impressively for Lancashire, and Broad slips seamlessly into his new role with Sky Sports, the next generation of English seamers must fill their bowling boots. In fact, make that generations; in the 12 Tests so far since Anderson's retirement, England have fielded nine fast bowlers, ranging from the callow to the consummate, the raw tools of Josh Hull contrasting with the grooved gifts of Chris Woakes.

By the end of the India series, a fit-again Jofra Archer and resurgent Jamie Overton may be added to that number; others wait in the wings, with 19-year-old Eddie Jack spending time with the squad recently despite being yet to make his County Championship debut. Ahead of 10 era-defining Tests, England's pace race is underway.

The first clash with India at Headingley this week fires the starter's pistol on two marquee series back to back, an almost referendum on the regime led by Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes. In such a landscape, it is understandable that the hierarchy sought to instigate a seam-bowling sea change.