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'Pace Is A Massive Weapon..,': Stokes Calls For 'Need For Speed' As ENG Move On From Anderson

Ben Stokes speaks about pace [X.com]Ben Stokes speaks about pace [X.com]

In a recent interview, England's Test skipper Ben Stokes emphasized the significance of pace in modern cricket, labelling it a "massive weapon." 

Following the retirement of legendary seamer James Anderson, England has turned to Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson to spearhead their attack. 

Atkinson's impressive 12-wicket haul in the first Test against West Indies at Lord's, earning him Player of the Match honors, has bolstered England's pace revolution.

Stokes, 33, believes that pace, combined with skill, can unsettle even the world's top batters. 

It makes you think differently: Ben Stokes

"You ask any batter in the world, whether it be Joe Root, Steve Smith, or Marnus Labuschagne, the pace is a massive weapon that makes you do different things. It makes you think differently. But also there has got to be skill attached to your pace. Gus showed last week, that he's more than just an out-and-out quick bowler, he's incredibly skillful. As is Mark Wood. The ability for him to be able to bowl as quickly as he does but have the control and swing as well is something that's very rare in someone who bowls that fast,” Ben Stokes said.

As England prepare for the second Test against West Indies at Trent Bridge on July 18, Stokes' pace revolution gains momentum. With the Ashes 2025 in mind, England is banking on its pace arsenal to make a significant impact.