Former England pacer Stuart Broad has drawn comparisons between debutant Josh Hull and former Australian speedster Mitchell Johnson after the young fast bowler’s impressive first outing in the third Test against Sri Lanka at the Kennington Oval, London. Hull, standing at an imposing 6ft 7 inches, became the tallest England fast bowler in history and marked his debut with figures of 3/53, helping England bowl out Sri Lanka for 263.

Broad, who is renowned for his sharp cricketing insights, praised Hull's bowling action, which reminded him of Johnson’s slingy arm. Speaking to Sky Sports, Broad said, "He reminds me slightly of Mitchell Johnson with that slingy action. He could get that bowling arm closer to the ear and deliver from a higher position. The slingy action might not allow him to get as much bounce, but it allows him to skid the ball on and maintain swing, which is a great asset of his."

Hull, who replaced Matthew Potts in England’s lineup, has been touted for his potential to develop greater pace as he matures. "An average speed of 83mph is fine for Test cricket, but Hull will get quicker as he gets older. I’ve been impressed with his height, bounce, and ability to swing the ball back into the right-handers," Broad added.

Despite a strong showing, Hull did experience a low point in the match when he dropped a simple catch during the 33rd over off Shoaib Bashir’s bowling, giving Sri Lanka’s Dhananjaya de Silva a reprieve. However, the 20-year-old left-arm seamer has impressed onlookers with his potential and is expected to evolve his technique further in future matches.

Broad also highlighted Hull’s long run-up, suggesting that it could evolve over time. "His run-up might get shorter as he matures, but what matters is that his feet and hips are nicely aligned with the target, making it tough for batters to leave the ball," Broad explained.

Hull's debut has not only brought attention to his bowling potential but also raised expectations for his role in the upcoming challenges against Sri Lanka. As the Test enters its crucial phase, Hull and the other England bowlers will need to step up on Day 4, as Sri Lanka require only 125 runs to win with nine wickets in hand.