With England preparing for the second test against West Indies starting on July 18, Ben Stokes has highlighted James Anderson’s new role following his retirement from international cricket.
Ben Stokes Explains James Anderson’s New Role
England Skipper Ben Stokes has revealed how James Anderson has been helping the bowling unit with his experience, for the preparations of the second test match against West Indies. He said that Anderson has been playing a big role in the side even after his retirement.
Having bagged 704 wickets in his test career, Anderson announced his test retirement on July 12 at the age of 41. James Anderson has been the unofficial bowling coach of the national side. Stokes said that England’s bowling united has been improvised a lot with Anderson’s input.
While speaking ahead of the second test Stokes said, The lads have been desperate to pick his brains. Before that, it’s been different because Jimmy has been preparing as he always has done.”
“It’s been a case of letting him do his stuff…But now, he’s just standing there and you can see the lads are being drawn towards him – asking how he thinks and how he bowls certain deliveries. I’ve been working on the wobble seam with him – our wrist positions are very different,” said Stokes in the pre-match conference.
“I was chatting through what his mindset is when he bowls that. It’s something I want to add to my armory. I wish it had it last week, I was picking his brain. Everything he said made complete sense – but he made it sound like the easiest thing in the world. It’s not,” Stokes added.
“There’s been emotion with Jimmy, it’s only been a week. But I think with him being around a team he knows, he has so much to offer to English cricket, in particular with the ball.”
“I can’t think of a better bloke to pass on knowledge of fast bowling…He’s got so much to offer English cricket. We don’t want to see that go. When we asked him, he was keen. He is going to have a lot of options. English cricket would be very lucky if he chooses to stay in the game,” Stokes added.
Stokes’ statement carried a hint of Anderson’s future in the England test side as a mentor or in a coaching role. With leading the series 1-0, England will face West Indies in the second match starting on July 18 at Trent’s Bridge.
