England Test captain Ben Stokes has revealed an awkward text exchange with senior pacer James Anderson over his decision to retire from Test cricket. Anderson will play his final match at Lord's against the West Indies.
James Anderson will play his last Test at Lord's from July 10 (PTI Photo)
New Delhi,UPDATED: Jul 9, 2024 17:27 IST
England Test captain Ben Stokes has defended the much-debated decision to retire legendary bowler James Anderson from international cricket. Anderson, 41, prepares to bow out at Lord's this week, with England set to face the West Indies in the first of a three-match Test series. Anderson, who has been a cornerstone of England's bowling attack for nearly two decades, proved he still has what it takes with a sensational seven-wicket haul in his first County Championship appearance of the season. This impressive performance prompted a light-hearted yet poignant text exchange between Stokes and Anderson. Moments after Anderson's standout performance, Stokes sent him a message that read: "Did you really have to do that?" Anderson's response was characteristically jovial: "Yeah, ha, ha sorry mate."
The exchange highlights the bittersweet nature of Anderson's retirement. Only weeks earlier, Stokes was part of the England delegation that met Anderson at a Manchester hotel to deliver the news that it was time for him to hang up his boots on the international stage. It's a decision Anderson has taken with his trademark professionalism, though his competitive spirit remains undimmed. Speaking exclusively to Telegraph Sport, Stokes admitted that Anderson still possesses the world-class skills needed for Test cricket. "No doubt about that. He is still incredible," Stokes remarked. However, the decision was influenced by strategic considerations, particularly with the Ashes series in mind.
"His skillset will be missed, but I look at it this way: the group of bowlers we have now are at the worst they are going to be because they will only get better. Their ceiling is so high, the more game time we can give them, we will find ourselves in a very strong position in Australia," Stokes explained. As Anderson prepares for his final bow at Lord's, the cricketing world will be watching closely. The veteran bowler's desire to prove a point against the West Indies is palpable, ensuring his swan song is set to be as competitive and memorable as his illustrious
Published By:
Saurabh Kumar
Published On:
Jul 9, 2024
English (US) ·