James Anderson, a true legend of English cricket, recently bid adieu to his beloved Test matches. This came after a stellar performance against the West Indies where his bowling skills were on full display. While debutant Gus Atkinson was unplayable, Anderson did his job well.
Anderson achieved ended his career by placing himself in history by becoming the highest wicket-taking fast bowler ever, with a whopping 704 wickets in 188 Tests! That’s enough to place him third on the all-time list, behind only spin icons Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne.
Why did James Anderson retire?
So, what’s the controversy? Reports say that England’s head coach, Brendon McCullum, spoke to Anderson about the team’s plan to get younger players ready for the upcoming Ashes series in Australia. Even though Anderson was still fit and playing incredibly well, the team decided to focus on the future. Anderson, at 41, acknowledged the team’s decision and respected their plan for upcoming matches.
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However, former famous commentor and ex English cricketer, David Lloyd believes Anderson was pushed out because of his age, and he’s not mincing words. He highlights Anderson’s skills and recent performance, calling the decision to sideline him baffling. Lloyd argues that picking the best team should be about who’s playing well, not ‘birth certificates’.
In an era that supposedly values inclusivity, Lloyd finds it outrageous that someone of Anderson’s caliber was forced out. His closing statement “Inclusivity, my arse” perfectly captures his frustration over what he sees as a clear case of age discrimination.
“So, it’s farewell to one of the greatest,” Lloyd wrote in the Daily Mail. “The sad thing about Jimmy Anderson’s departure is that he’s bowling as well as ever. Accuracy, pace, stamina – he’s shown all those qualities and he’s still taking wickets. They say they are moving him on with next year’s Ashes in mind. I say, pick your best team. He was forced out because of his age. In this era of inclusivity, it takes the biscuit that someone has been stopped for that reason. Reader, let me tell you: I know the feeling. Inclusivity, my arse.”
Lloyd isn’t the only one who feels this way. Many fans believe Anderson had more to offer and his forced retirement is a big loss for England.
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