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England bowling guide and veteran seamer Jimmy Anderson’s resolution to skip the staff’s preparations for the Take a look at sequence in Pakistan for a golf match has raised eyebrows.
The 42-year-old Anderson, who retired in July, was later appointed England’s red-ball bowling mentor. Nonetheless, forward of Monday’s first Take a look at in opposition to Pakistan in Multan, Anderson was not a part of England’s pre-series preps as he travelled to Scotland to take part within the Alfred Dunhill Hyperlinks Championship, a pro-am golf match.
England’s assault is brief on abroad expertise and that was exemplified when Pakistan made a fast begin with the bat after profitable the toss on Day 1. Blunting the English tempo assault on a placid pitch, Pakistan had scored over 4.5 runs per over throughout two classes as captain Shan Masood introduced up his first Take a look at hundred after 4 years.
Former English first-class cricketer and famend tempo coach Ian Pont lamented England’s poor bowling efficiency on the opening day whereas additionally taking a dig at Anderson’s absence. “England’s seam bowlers badly beneath the pump in Multan. Pakistan fully cashing in on a flat observe and a few lacklustre bowling. Beneath this contemporary teaching regime, England’s bowling guide is 3 beneath par although on the golf course, which is sweet information,” Pont wrote on X.
England’s seam bowlers badly beneath the pump in Multan. Pakistan fully cashing in on a flat observe and a few lacklustre bowling. Beneath this contemporary teaching regime, England’s bowling guide is 3 beneath par although on the golf course, which is sweet information. #everycloud#PAKvsENG
— Ian Pont Official (@Ponty100mph) October 7, 2024
‘McCullum backs Jimmy’
Nonetheless, England head coach Brendon McCullum threw his weight behind Anderson on the eve of the Take a look at, insisting that it was a collective resolution. Talking to former England captain Michael Atherton on Sky Sports activities, McCullum mentioned: “Two months in the past, you guys have been saying he didn’t need to be the coach. Now we’re lacking him. That’s affirmation of how good an affect Jimmy Anderson has made within the quick time period [during] his transition from participant to educate.”
McCullum additionally insisted that “We reside in a world the place you may nonetheless talk with out being head to head.”
“It’s a mixed resolution amongst everybody. He [Anderson] has made an enormous transition from a 20-odd-year profession into his new function and “he’s on as a bowling guide as nicely, it isn’t a full-time function.”
“I haven’t got any issues, it was a mixed resolution” 🗣️
Brendon McCullum defends bowling guide, James Anderson’s resolution to play within the Alfred Dunhill Hyperlinks Championship that means he’ll miss the beginning of the primary Take a look at in opposition to Pakistan 🏴 pic.twitter.com/0B2CGkJUiu
— Sky Sports activities Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 6, 2024
McCullum additionally mentioned te packed schedule referred to as for necessary breaks as Anderson had opted for. “The challenges and calls for of the worldwide cricket calendar imply you want to get out and revel in your self as nicely. If he have been at house together with his household, I query whether or not anybody would have issues with it.”
On the time of publishing, England had conceded 199 runs for a solitary wicket in 42 overs, conceding 4.72 runs per over.
The veteran Anderson, who featured in 188 Assessments, retired after the Lord’s Take a look at in opposition to West Indies in July with a haul of 704 wickets, the all time for a quick bowler.
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