Former England skipper Mike Gatting said that the Joe Root-led side for the Ashes series in Australia will miss pace bowler Jofra Archer and all-rounder Ben Stokes, but the tourists still have a strong pace line-up of Mark Wood, Chris Woakes and Craig Overton besides Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad to offset their absence during the gruelling tour.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gatting felt that England have a balanced seam attack, contrary to the views of another former England captain Michael Vaughan who thinks the tourists "don't have an attack that'll blow Australia away".<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I think obviously Jofra Archer is going to be missed as will Ben (Stokes), they're two of the big guns if you like," Gatting said on SEN 1170 Mornings on Wednesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Woody (Mark Wood) is capable of bowling some really good spells and fast spells. I'm so pleased that Woakesy (Chris Woakes) is fit and bowling well again, I really think he is a very, very good cricketer with bat and with ball. For me, that's a really big bonus, I think he could have quite a big trip.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"(Craig) Overton is a young lad who has a bit of pace, but I think his bounce certainly on these wickets (will be a factor)."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, Gatting said that the England attack will still not be anything near the Aussie pace battery.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It won't be anything like the Australian attack, but I think it's a reasonable attack with a lot of experience. Jimmy (Anderson) on any pitch at any time is just a world-class bowler these days. He's not really going to steam through you, but with his experience and where he bowls it, he's not going to give you very much.<\/p>\r\n\r\n