On Tuesday, England’s skipper Ben Stokes stated the thinking behind retiring James Anderson from Test cricket, insisting that the end-game is to assemble a side that could conquer an Ashes tour of Australia.
James Anderson, the prolific fast bowler of the English team, has taken more than 700 wickets in Test cricket, which is the highest number of wickets taken by any fast bowler in this format of the game. Anderson has played more Test matches than any other player off the field except the master blaster of India, Sachin Tendulkar.
Anderson has had a fine season so far and has been consistent throughout the class, but the decision to go to the next step was based on the prospects.
Tribute to James Anderson
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Ben Stokes also saluted James Anderson, stating that he was an excellent example of fast bowling, and commended him for the offers he brought to the game. James Anderson demonstrated his talent in the recent battle between Lancashire and Nottinghamshire when he took seven wickets.
While James Anderson is now departing the international cricket game, he will serve the England and Wales Cricket Board as a fast bowler’s specialist mentor.
Stokes also assured that James Anderson could still play Test cricket and is good enough, as he described him as an amazing bowler. ‘‘He is my friend, and as I said, he is good enough to go out there still and play Test cricket. Captain further added:
Speaking with Jimmy, we explained it to him and stated the reasons, and he agreed. This week will be all about Jimmy, and deservedly so, but to my best knowledge, the primary concern is about going out there to take wickets and do everything possible to help England win this match.
Eye on Ashes Success
But, currently, England’s last Ashes triumph was back in 2015, and they have not even tasted victory on Australian soil since the 2010/11 series. Stokes stressed the need to look forward to the next Ashes series in Australia in 18 months. While addressing the media at Lords, the English captain said:
Just look at the schedule and where we are going to be in 18 months, Australia. We would like to regain that urn. We do not want to be static, and I would like to continue challenging this team as much as possible.
Recognizing more time to prepare for the India tour, which England lost 5-1, Stokes said a five-month break from Test cricket gave ample time to plot for the future.
I believe it has been five months since we last took the field in a Test match, so you tend to contemplate how you can move the team forward. I’ve been captain now for two years; for me, it is about taking this team forward. You sometimes have to do things that are not so friendly.
Upcoming steps
Stokes and the selection committee’s decisions on the squad are intended to prepare for the future series, especially the Ashes. Thus, the conclusion of James Anderson’s Test career means the end of one notable chapter but the initiation of a new one for the English cricket team.
James Anderson’s Overall Career
Anderson started his international career in 2003 and has been part of the dressing room for over 21 years. He represented the team across all three formats but stepped down from the shorter format in 2015. Since then, he has solely focused on playing Tests and has created records that is next to impossible to break.
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