England’s cricket team has a fresh, exciting talent in their ranks: 20-year-old left-arm seamer Josh Hull. Making his debut in the third Test against Sri Lanka, Hull has caught the attention of many, including former England pacer Stuart Broad. Broad has notably drawn parallels between Hull’s unique bowling style and that of Australia’s legendary quick, Mitchell Johnson.
Hull, who stands at a towering 6 feet 7 inches, made an impressive start to his Test career. His ability to generate pace, bounce, and movement—coupled with his imposing frame—proved effective on the pitch. Broad, one of England’s greatest bowlers, praised Hull’s potential, particularly his “slingy” action, which reminded him of Johnson. The comparison is a significant one, as Johnson was known for his menacing pace and unorthodox bowling style, which often left batsmen struggling.
In Hull’s debut performance, he showcased exactly why the selectors saw promise in him. Despite having only 10 first-class matches under his belt before this match, he displayed remarkable control and ability. His maiden Test figures of 3/53 were vital in England’s efforts to restrict Sri Lanka to 263 runs in their first innings. His dismissal of Pathum Nissanka, courtesy of a sharp catch from Chris Woakes, was a highlight moment, affirming his value to the team.
Broad’s analysis highlighted Hull’s “slingy” action, where his bowling arm releases the ball at a lower angle, much like Johnson’s. While this type of action may limit the natural bounce a bowler can extract, it does provide another significant advantage: it enables the ball to skid onto the batsman, making it difficult to play. Broad suggested that Hull could benefit from getting his bowling arm closer to his ear during delivery, which would generate more bounce without compromising the natural swing he gets from his current technique. Johnson, who tormented England during the 2013-14 Ashes series, used a similar slingy style to great effect, making the comparison apt and promising.
Hull’s technique was another aspect that impressed Broad. The young bowler’s height, coupled with a braced front leg and strong alignment through the crease, allowed him to generate swing and trouble right-handed batsmen. While his average speed in the debut Test was around 83 mph, Broad was confident that Hull would become quicker as he develops and refines his run-up, predicting that the England team would work on evolving Hull’s long run-up and build on his raw attributes.
Hull’s rise through the ranks has been meteoric. He first turned heads during Leicestershire’s successful One-Day Cup campaign, where he took 17 wickets in nine matches at an average of 24.23. His performances for the England Lions, where he picked up five wickets against Sri Lanka earlier in the summer, further cemented his place as a bowler to watch. England head coach Brendon McCullum echoed this sentiment, calling Hull a “rough diamond” with immense potential. McCullum’s faith in young bowlers has already paid dividends with players like Josh Tongue and Tom Hartley stepping up in recent matches, and Hull seems poised to follow in their footsteps.
In international cricket, where the competition is fierce and the stakes high, having a left-arm seamer like Hull is a valuable asset. The angle that left-arm fast bowlers provide has always been tricky for batsmen, and England has been keen to find a reliable left-arm quick ever since the retirement of Ryan Sidebottom. Hull’s entry into the team could fill this void, especially with his ability to bowl over 85 mph and move the ball both ways.
While Hull’s career is just beginning, the comparisons to a player of Johnson’s caliber certainly add to the excitement around his potential. Broad’s glowing endorsement serves as both a recognition of Hull’s talent and a challenge to continue refining his skills. As England looks towards future Test series, including their long-term goal of winning the Ashes in Australia, Hull could very well be a key player in their plans.
In the short term, though, Hull’s immediate task is to continue learning and adapting to the rigors of Test cricket. The road ahead may be tough, but with experienced figures like Stuart Broad guiding him and a unique bowling action that could trouble even the best batsmen, Josh Hull’s future in cricket looks incredibly bright.