The Ashes 2025 once again highlighted how crucial workload management and rest-and-rotation policies are for fast bowlers in modern Test cricket. Jofra Archer suffered another injury scare, Mark Wood was ruled out early, and Pat Cummins returned for the third Test only to be rested again after helping Australia seal the series. Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc are also being carefully managed.
What stands out is the reaction. There has been no public outrage, no questioning of commitment, and no personal attacks. Even when Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood skipped the 2025 Champions Trophy but played the IPL, the focus remained on fitness, not loyalty. JofraArcher continues to receive strong support for pushing himself to return to Test cricket.
This contrast becomes stark when compared to India. Every conversation around Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management invites criticism, doubts, and unfair comparisons. Every fast bowler has different physical limits, and respecting those boundaries is essential for longevity. The Ashes has shown that protecting elite fast bowlers is not a weakness; it is smart cricket.