After the first-Test win at Headingley, captain Joe Root said his pace bowlers “do not know how good they can be” and praised the variety they offer.
Root suggested this group is ahead of bowling stocks from his previous stint as captain, when he often called upon right-arm seamers James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes, in terms of their variation.
The most obvious differential between his new quartet is pace – something brought into further focus by England’s decision to prioritise bowlers who reach high speeds during last winter’s Ashes defeat.
While Archer was touching 95mph in the quickest opening spell of his career on day two at Lord’s, Robinson was operating around 78mph at the other end.
Tongue’s average pace across the series is actually higher than Archer, though Archer has bowled a higher percentage of his deliveries over 90mph.
Atkinson slots in just below Tongue and Archer, who joked he could play until he is 40 given how his team-mates are sharing the load.
“It is a good attack,” said former England captain Michael Vaughan. “They can all get better and that is a really good sign.
“This batting line-up is possibly the easiest I have seen to bowl to but this attack, bowling the way they are doing, will challenge better batting line-ups.
“They will challenge the Australia line-up quite nicely if they bowl like this.”
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