In an occasional series, one of the game's most respected bowlers casts a professional eye over his peers. He begins by assessing England's new-look attack for Zimbabwe Friday, September 28, 2001

Matthew Hoggard
The most promising of England's future quickies. He has a good, simple action, which should prove reliable. Any problems should be easy to correct. A strong lad with a nice high action which allows him to get bounce out of flat pitches, Matthew bowls with good pace (85mph) and moves the ball away from the right-hander. He does need to work on his consistency though. By eliminating the odd four-ball from his game, he will become a regular for England in both one-day and Test cricket. Good at using the reverse-swing that becomes available on dry rough surfaces such as Zimbabwe.

James Kirtley
Thoroughly deserves this opportunity following some excellent performances for Sussex. He is a wicket-taker. His lack of height and his low, skiddy action may reduce his potential to be effective in Test cricket, but in the one-day game, it can help, particularly at the death when you need to bowl full and straight. He has a good action, swinging the ball away at good pace (mid to high 80s). Has had good experience in Zimbabwe, having played for Mashonaland and even taken wickets against England. Can use reverse-swing and has a good slower ball.

Ryan Sidebottom
A big strong left-armer with a heavy ball (low to mid 80s mph). His selection is an investment for the future, as any bowling attack needs variety and he is the most promising young left-arm seamer in the country. He is quite a way from being the finished article: his action needs to be grooved more so faults can be ironed out. If successful, this will allow him greater consistency in both his control and his ability to swing the ball into the right-hander.

Chris Silverwood
A late replacement for James Ormond, he has been brought in to add firepower. But I don't feel that it is one-dayers where he will establish himself as an England regular. His bowling currently lacks the discipline and consistency required in this form of cricket. A smashing lad, he is as quick as any bowler in England (high 80s, low 90s) and he will always give everything he has got. He missed the last few games of the season through injury, so he will be desperate to prove his fitness.

Andrew Flintoff
Big and strong, he can bowl as quickly as most (mid to high 80s), but injury has stopped him making the progress we all would have liked. Has a simple action from a short run-up, and it is sheer strength that gets the ball quickly down the other end. More of a seamer than a swinger of the ball. His potential with the ball on top of his obvious ability with the bat makes him a real match-winner for England in one-day cricket.

Ben Hollioake
It is with the bat that Ben has made an impression for England so far. This along with his fast-medium away-swing bowling gives him the potential to be a valuable member of England's World Cup team in 2003. His bowling though is an area he needs to work hard at. At the moment it is too inconsistent. All England require him to do, bowling in the middle of the innings, is bowl straight and on the spot. It is up to him to show that he can do this.

Paul Collingwood
I don't see him bowling his full allocation of 10 overs for England very often, but he is a more than adequate safety valve should the others go around the park. At just above medium pace all he will try and do is bowl full and straight with the keeper standing up. He tries to swing the ball away and could be useful on the slow low wickets in Zimbabwe.

Paul Grayson
A latecomer to the England set-up, Paul has been a good allround performer for Essex, particularly in one-day cricket. More of a batsman than a bowler - his left-arm spin is accurate rather than cutting. He is not a big spinner of the ball but he knows what he is doing and bowls to his field. You will see him coming over the wicket to right-handers in order to cramp them for room. Control is his strength.

Jeremy Snape
Like most good one-day finger-spinners, Jeremy varies his pace well. Being small, he has to toss the ball up but this works well for him as it allows him to take a lot of pace off the ball. This means he puts the onus on the batsman to do the hitting rather than just using the pace of the ball. Not a big turner of the ball, but his strong late-order hitting and excellent fielding make him a good allround cricketer.

Angus Fraser is captain of Middlesex CCC and a columnist for Wisden Cricket Monthly.

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