Director of England men’s cricket, Rob Key, has announced that this July, the Lord’s Test against the West Indies will be Jimmy Anderson’s final one in an England shirt. The decision was made after discussions with head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes. Despite Anderson’s impressive record, including 700 Test wickets, Key believes it is time to start giving opportunities to younger players as England prepares for the Ashes against Australia in 18 months.
Anderson made his England debut in 2002 and has since accumulated 987 dismissals across all formats. Key acknowledges that Anderson will not be heading to Australia for the 2025-26 Ashes and sees the upcoming series against the West Indies and Sri Lanka as a chance to introduce new faces. He believes it is essential for young bowlers to gain experience in Test cricket and learn how to perform consistently. Jofra Archer, who has been dealing with an elbow injury, is set to make his return to red-ball cricket in the future after playing club cricket in Barbados and for Sussex in the T20 Blast.
Meanwhile, Ben Stokes will be making his return to the County Championship after a two-year absence. He is set to play for Durham against Lancashire in a four-day game at Blackpool. Stokes’ last County Championship game was in 2022, before he became England’s captain. His absence from county cricket was a strategic decision to prioritize his body’s readiness to perform as an all-rounder. Stokes’ return to county cricket is seen as a significant moment, with head coach Ryan Campbell encouraging fans to watch his comeback in action at Blackpool.
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