Troy Cooley, renowned fast-bowling coach with a reputation for nurturing some of cricket’s finest pacers, has expressed optimism about the current crop of England’s pace bowlers as the team prepares for the next Ashes series. Cooley, who has returned to work with England after two decades, is closely involved with the fast bowling units of Leicestershire and Hampshire and has been monitoring the progress of England’s frontline quicks.
The 60-year-old Tasmanian played a pivotal role in England’s 2005 Ashes victory, coaching the celebrated pace quartet of Steve Harmison, Matthew Hoggard, Andrew Flintoff, and Simon Jones. After a period working with Australia and in Indian domestic cricket, Cooley rejoined the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in January, tasked with guiding the current generation of bowlers to replicate past successes.
Cooley singled out Jofra Archer, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, and Gus Atkinson for praise, highlighting their individual skills and potential. On Archer, who reached speeds of up to 94 mph during the summer, Cooley said the fast bowler still had room for improvement. “He’s learned how his body adapts and works,” Cooley stated, noting Archer’s strong mentality and skill level that could elevate him to “one of the ultimate legends of the game.”
Robinson’s control and adaptability impressed Cooley, particularly after his series average of 8.76 against Pakistan. The coach emphasized Robinson’s ability to move the ball and generate bounce, stressing the importance of consistently missing the middle of the bat to induce errors from batsmen. Tongue, with his unusual bowling action and pace regularly hitting 90 mph, was described as “unique” and a key asset in unsettling right-hand batsmen.
Atkinson, while less prolific in terms of wickets during recent Tests, was praised for his “great arm speed” and movement. Cooley acknowledged some fitness concerns but remained confident in Atkinson’s resilience and ongoing development.
Reflecting on England’s mixed performances, including a challenging day at Edgbaston when Pakistan’s tailender Razaullah hit nine sixes, Cooley emphasized the importance of patience and maintaining composure. He attributed England’s struggles to occasional lapses in discipline and expressed confidence that captain Joe Root and his team would learn and adapt from these experiences.
Beyond the immediate frontline, Cooley highlighted the depth of England’s fast-bowling resources, mentioning promising seamers such as Henry Crocombe, Sam Cook, Matthew Fisher, and Sonny Baker. Baker recently impressed in a T20 match against Sri Lanka, signaling the strength of emerging talent.
Ultimately, Cooley’s objective remains clear: to develop a fast-bowling unit capable of performing consistently both at home and overseas, a challenge he refers to as the “holy grail” of his role. He underscored the fundamental principles of fast bowling—precision in hitting the top of off stump, responsibility in taking wickets and restricting runs, and fitness to maintain performance across conditions.
With the Ashes series scheduled for next summer, Cooley’s return and his endorsement of England’s fast bowlers signal England’s intent to field a potent pace attack ready to compete on the sport’s biggest stages once again.