Rob Key, managing director of England’s cricket team, stated that pace bowler James Anderson’s choice to end his 21-year illustrious career was the right one as the nation looks to assemble a team for the future. James Anderson declared on Saturday that he would be leaving Test cricket after the July 1st game of the series against the West Indies at Lord’s. Just two weeks shy of turning forty-two, Anderson will play his final Test match at Lord’s, where he made his England debut in 2003.
Only the legendary Sachin Tendulkar of India has played in more Test matches than James Anderson, who will play his 188th. Anderson’s match will give him one more opportunity to add to his 700 Test wicket tally, which is easily the greatest by a bowler. The only players with more Test wickets are spinners Shane Warne (708), and Muttiah Muralitharan (800).
James Anderson too the right decision at the right time
Rob Key told the BBC Test Match Special County Cricket podcast. Head coach Brendon McCullum flew over to England to hold talks with James Anderson over his future.
“We said ‘we think it’s time for us to move on, that we have to start looking towards the future’,” “This is the right decision and this is the right time. Hopefully he gets a fantastic end at Lord’s,” said Rob Key.
“We had a conversation for about an hour and a half, which Baz led. I don’t think Jimmy was expecting it, but I don’t think it was completely unexpected. We felt it was right that Jimmy and the public had the opportunity to say goodbye. We didn’t impress upon him that he needed to make the decision there and then. Not so long ago he decided the Lord’s game would be his last,” he added.
England will definitely miss his services with the new ball as the lions look into the future of their fast bowling. It will be interesting to see which bowler steps up to fill in the shoes of James Anderson in the England shirt. The Men in Maroon will be eyeing to spoil the party of James Anderson and the lethal speedster Kemar Roach has already started playing mind games as we can expect a fascinating Test series.
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