Follow UsWhen Jimmy Anderson brought up his 700th wicket in the fifth Test against India in Dharamshala, not many expected it to be the veteran’s penultimate game in international cricket. The 41-year-old was still going strong and was arguably the pick of the English bowlers in the five-match Test series in the subcontinent that the Three Lions lost 4-1.
But the world will be witnessing Anderson only once more in England colors as the legendary pacer announced, on May 11 (Saturday), his decision to hang up his boots after the first Test against West Indies at Lord’s in July.
While Anderson has officially gone out on his own terms, The Guardian reported on May 10 that the veteran had, in fact, been asked to retire. The report mentioned that head coach Brendon McCullum made a visit to the UK to tell Anderson in person that the Test team is looking to the future.
Speaking on the matter on Sky Sports, former England skipper Michael Atherton said that he was not left surprised by England’s actions. The 56-year-old said that it is clear to him that the management are already starting to build towards the Ashes in Australia next year.
“The Ashes are two winters away. There is absolutely no chance of a 43-year-old opening the bowling for England,” Atherton said on Sky Sports.
“I know that Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes have talked about ‘living in the moment’, but they also talk about planning for the future. Everything we’ve heard from the England camp since the start of the year has been pace, strike rate and cutting edge, all in preparation for The Ashes. So it’s not much of a surprise.
“I’m very glad that he’s going to get that one Test to round off what’s been a magnificent career. He is unquestionably one of England’s greatest ever performers.”
Speaking in the same show, Nasser Hussain, another former England skipper, said that he can’t see Anderson’s record getting eclipsed.
“Not in Test cricket. Not by a seamer. He’s so far ahead of the rest as far as seamers are concerned,” Hussain said, when asked if any other seamer would ever go past the 700-wicket mark.
“It started at Lord’s 21 years ago, it’s going to end at Lord’s. There won’t be a dry eye come July. He is, by far, England’s greatest ever bowler.
“The work he’s put in behind the scenes, the fitness and the skills, the times he’s come back from injury - phenomenal cricketer. I’m pleased he is going to get that week at Lord’s. He deserves it.”
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Do Anderson’s recent performances at home warrant him getting one final Test or are England being ‘sentimental’ by giving the 41-year-old a planned send-off?
“I’m not someone keen on sentiment when it comes to selection. But looking at what we’ve seen over the last two years, his numbers and strike rate are still right up there with his overall career numbers,” Atherton said.
“It would be hard to argue that he is not amongst the best swing and seam bowlers currently in England. I think it’s perfectly fair to argue that he deserves his place right now. If you’re picking a side today, you can make the argument that Jimmy Anderson deserves to be in the side.”
Hussain was far more blunt in his assessment.
“Of course, he should play at Lord’s. He is Jimmy Anderson. He had an average Ashes, yes, but that’s one summer. He’s had twenty good summers with the Dukes ball before that,” Hussain said.
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