England Test captain Ben Stokes is banking on pace as a “massive weapon” for them in the post-James Anderson and Stuart Broad era. James Anderson will be present on the balcony in the Trent Bridge pavilion, while Stuart Broad will be on the other side of the ground, part of the commentary panel for Sky Sports.
In the presence of 355 caps and 1,308 Test wickets, England will face the West Indies in the second Test of the series. James Anderson recently concluded his elusive test career with playing his last test in England color’s at Lords in the first test versus the West Indies.
James Anderson illustrious Test career
England called up Mark Wood on Tuesday to replace the retired James Anderson for this week’s second Test against the West Indies at Trent Bridge. Fast bowler Mark Wood is the only change from the side which romped to an innings victory in the opening match at Lord’s.
James Anderson’s retirement from international cricket was announced earlier this year and he took four wickets in the first Test to end his five-day career on 704 wickets, behind only Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne on the all-time list. The 34-year-old Wood, who was with England at last month’s T20 World Cup, has taken 108 wickets in 34 Tests, the last of which was against India in Dharamsala in March.
James Anderson will start his new role as a fast-bowling mentor in Nottingham. Despite James Anderson and Broad not featuring in England’s playing XI anymore, a sense of familiarity still lingers in their bowling line-up. Chris Woakes will earn his 50th Test cap, speed sensation Mark Wood has returned to the set-up, and Gus Atkinson announced himself to the world after his memorable debut game for the Three Lions.
In his debut Test appearance, he claimed a seven-wicket haul in the first innings during the first Test against the West Indies. England’s pace set-up will also enjoy the presence of Ben Stokes after he bowled 18 overs across both innings in the series opener. England skipper Ben Stokes admitted to a leadership void in their pace attack after the retirement of James Anderson and Stuart Broad over the past 12 months ahead of the second Test against the West Indies in Trent Bridge, starting July 18.
Ben Stokes on future leader of England pace attack after James Anderson and Stuart Broad ahead of 2nd Test vs West Indies
England skipper Ben Stokes admitted to a leadership void in their pace attack after the retirement of James Anderson and Stuart Broad over the past 12 months ahead of the second Test against the West Indies in Trent Bridge, starting July 18. While Broad walked into sunset at the end of the 2023 Ashes, Anderson retired from international cricket after England’s first Test win by an innings and 114 runs at Lord’s.
The legendary duo finished with an incredible 1,308 combined wickets in Tests with Anderson the third all-time leading wicket-taker and Broad the fifth all-time.
Addressing the Anderson-Broad void in the press conference on the eve of the second Test against the West Indies, Stokes backed Chris Woakes to lead the English pace attack.
“I see it (James Anderson’s retirement) as an opportunity for someone like Chris Woakes to take up the leadership role in the bowling unit. Woakesy is a very experienced bowler, a very experienced player. We have been so used to Jimmy and Broady doing that. But we don’t have them now. I see that as an opportunity for Woakesy. (Woakes has been) A phenomenal performer, especially in England and great for him now to lead the attack,” said Stokes.
The second Test will be Woakes’ 50th of his red-ball career, with 29 coming at home. The 35-year-old boasts an impressive overall bowling record in Tests with 150 wickets at an average of 29.20. Woakes’ home record is even better with 114 scalps at an average of 22.04.
Ben Stokes on James Anderson
Ben Stokes admitted that the emotions were still running high among the players on James Anderson’s retirement in the lead-up to the second Test in Nottingham.
The 41-year-old enjoyed a terrific farewell outing, with overall match figures of 4/58 in 26.4 overs.
“I think it has been a very, very smooth transition. But there is no doubt that there has been emotions with Jimmy. But with him still being around the team, I think he still knows that he has so much more to offer to the game with the ball. Couldn’t think of a better bloke to be able to pass on the knowledge of fast bowling to the guys we have with us at the moment,” said Stokes.
James Anderson finished his Test career with an extraordinary 704 wickets, only four behind second-place Shane Warne, at an average of 26.45 in 188 games. The champion pacer debuted for England in 2002 and finished with almost 1,000 international wickets across formats. England leads 1-0 vs West Indies after inflicting massive innings defeat to West Indies and would look to extend the lead after the second test.