Go well, James Anderson
England’s best-ever fast bowler has called it a day- but the exciting search for his replacement has started well
When Joshua Da Silva edged the ball behind to Jamie Smith, he became James Anderson’s 704th and final Test wicket. The King of Swing has retired after a 21-year-long career, and although many believe he should have been given a few more matches and be able to retire at his cricketing home of Old Trafford, he has brought down the curtain on a magnificent period for his country.
For me, watching England means watching Jimmy Anderson bowl. I’ve always known his artistic take on bowling, and that’s what it was. His ability to swing the ball either way and keep batsmen constantly thinking has been a special part of Test cricket for over two decades.
Anderson got a special send-off at the most famous cricket grounds in the world. The man from Burnley comes across as very down-to-earth and almost shy, so to see him the centre of attention and to get emotional at it was a warming and surreal moment.
The retirement of first Stuart Broad and now Anderson has left two big gaps in England’s bowling attack. Over 1300 wickets between the pair is a hefty number to replace, especially when there are so few other bowlers in the England setup who have even 100 wickets. Despite this seemingly overwhelming task, there are plenty of players out there who could be the next long-term installment of the English fast bowling club.
Gus Atkinson made his Test debut at Lord’s against the West Indies and claimed 12 of the 20 tourist wickets. He should keep his place for at least the rest of this series, and the three-match contest against Sri Lanka is then just around the corner. His pace and variation make him a strong addition to the bowling unit, and he could well be joined by another Test debutant when the series continues at Trent Bridge.
Dillon Pennington is one of three fast bowlers in the squad who will be fighting it out to fill the spot of Anderson. At 25, the man who plays his county cricket at Trent Bridge is slightly older than Atkinson. He has the strength and height that goes so far for fast bowlers on the international stage, and on the basis the next Test is on his home ground there’s a good chance he gets the nod.
The second option for Trent Bridge is Matthew Potts. With just six Test matches under his belt, Potts would still be one of the (slightly) more experienced members of the bowling attack. With years ahead of him still, Potts is a player who has done more than enough to be in the running to lead the next generation of English Test fast bowlers.
Mark Wood is the experienced option for Trent Bridge, and at 34 he will be comfortably one of the oldest bowling options. Wood and Chris Woakes are, like Anderson and Broad, destined to call it a day within the next few years probably- and this will leave more experience gaps that need filling. England needs to look to the future this summer, so it makes me think that it will be Pennington or Potts joining Atkinson as the opening bowlers in Nottingham.
This is the attitude England must have now, looking forward. Anderson and Broad have hung up their spikes, and plenty of players are in the frame to replace them. The fast bowling contingent of the England Test squad will look very different this summer compared to last, and that needs to be embraced.
