ENG vs WI: For The First Time Since 2012, England Will Play A Home Test Without Either James Anderson Or Stuart Broad
England have named their lineup for the second test match against the West Indies at the Trent Bridge, Nottingham starting on Thursday, 18th of July, 2024. Fast bowler Mark Wood has been recalled in place of James Anderson who called time on his cricketing career last week following a massive victory against the West Indies at the Lord’s. Wood missed the first Test after being part of the England squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June. The 34-year-old has taken 108 wickets in 34 Tests and will form a pacey pairing alongside Gus Atkinson, with Chris Woakes the other specialist seamer. England Squad For The 2nd Test Match Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt) Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood, Shoaib Bashir. England Without Anderson And Broad Indeed, this will be England’s first home Test without at least one of Anderson or Broad in their side since 2012. Anderson and Broad, who together claimed 1,308 wickets, have exited the test match cricket scene in back-to-back summers as England moves forward. In the 138 Tests where they both played, they took over 1,000 wickets, with Anderson securing 537 and Broad 502, at an average of 26.73 combined. Anderson achieved 26 five-wicket hauls in these matches, compared to Broad’s 17. Notably, Broad’s career-best figures of 8-15 against Australia at Trent Bridge in 2015 were achieved without Anderson in the team. Click here to read more on James Anderson’s legacy with the ball. England Without Anderson And Broad England’s effort to find replacements for the Anderson-Broad duo will start at the Trent Bridge, Nottingham as the Three Lions face the Caribbean in the second test match of the English summer. Well one thing remains sure, filling these big boots is certainly going to be the real test for England. England have a couple of fast bowling youngsters in the pipeline and coach Brendon Mccullum has a major task on his to-do-list. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
James Anderson; Beyond 704 Wickets
James Anderson has brought down the curtains to his career as England won by an innings and 114 runs. The cricketing fraternity has already started missing the man who represented England in 188 test matches, took 704 wickets at an average of 26.45 and an economy of 2.79. And how can one not remember his 32 5 wicket hauls and 3 10 wicket hauls. Well even after bowling 40,037 deliveries in his career, it’s not just his performance that the cricketing world will miss, but the unique style and character he brought to the game. A Hair Apparent James Anderson’s journey wasn’t just about the wickets; it was also about his distinct flair, evident in his ever-evolving hairstyles. Famously shy in his early days, Anderson’s bowling spoke volumes, but his haircuts became another form of self-expression. John Stanworth, Lancashire’s academy coach, once remarked, “He said absolutely zip all to me for two-and-a-half years,” highlighting Anderson’s reserved nature. However, his initial foray into the international scene was marked by frosted tips and a striking red ‘faux hawk’. During his early career, Anderson’s flamboyant hairstyles often garnered more attention than his on-field exploits. On a tour of Zimbabwe in 2004, he opted for a complete shave, emerging with a rebuilt action and a reliance on consistency rather than style. As he matured into England’s premier fast bowler, his hairstyles evolved, featuring a tight crop and a Morrissey-esque quiff. In 2018, Anderson surprised fans with an all-over platinum dye job, a mix of “part silver fox, part white owl,” which he attributed to “maybe a midlife crisis.“ As Anderson approached his 40s, his look evolved to a sophisticated salt-and-pepper style, though he continued to experiment. Recently, he sported a golden streak in his quiff, dubbed “Auburn Anderson” or “Fast Bowler Sunset.” When asked about bringing back the red streak for his Lord’s send-off, Anderson curtly responded, “Doesn’t look like it.“ The Sledging Maestro On the field, James Anderson’s mastery extended beyond the cricket ball to his sharp tongue. Known for his aggressive sledging, he often used it as a strategy to get into the minds of opposition batsmen. Alastair Cook, one of Anderson’s closest friends, recalled, “The only thing I can remember about our first meeting was that he called me everything under the sun.“ Sledging was Anderson’s way of engaging in a battle, and it sometimes revealed an edgier side to his game. One of the most notorious incidents was an altercation with Ravindra Jadeja in 2014, which nearly escalated into a diplomatic row. Anderson’s sledging repertoire included memorable jibes, such as repeatedly calling Michael Hussey “Dave” to irk the Australian batsman. Hussey acknowledged Anderson as “probably a bit smarter” than most sledgers he had encountered. Some of Anderson’s sledging exchanges became legendary. During the 2010-11 series, Mitchell Johnson’s taunt, “Why are you chirping now, mate? Not getting any wickets?” was swiftly answered when Anderson bowled Ryan Harris next ball and silenced Johnson with a finger to his lips. Media Savvy and Emotional Moments Despite his gruff on-field persona, Anderson’s off-field demeanor showed a different side. His friendship with Graeme Swann brought out a playful aspect, seen in their antics on Swanny’s Ashes Diary and the popular BBC 5 Live show “Not Just Cricket.” His transition from player to pundit was seamless, highlighted by his role in the “Tailenders” podcast with Greg James and Felix White. Anderson’s tough exterior often hid a softer side. Known for his emotional moments, he famously broke down during a post-match presentation at Headingley in 2014 after a narrow defeat to Sri Lanka. He fought back tears again in 2018 after taking the final wicket in Alastair Cook’s farewell Test. Reflecting on his career, Anderson hinted at more tears during his final match. “Big thing for me this week is wanting to play well, bowl well and get a win. That’s what I’m trying to focus on to stop myself crying,” he shared with a smile. As James Anderson steps away from the game, the cricketing world comes to a halt and bids farewell to a player who was not just a master of swing and seam but also a charismatic figure with memorable haircuts and legendary sledging. Thank you Jimmy. You will be missed. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
