England's leading fast bowler Jimmy Anderson has retired from cricket and is set to play his final match against the West Indies on July 10th.
The decision was made in conjunction with Anderson's managing director Key, coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes. “This is the right decision and now is the right time. Hopefully he gets a great ending at Lord's,” said Key to the Press.
Key explained how the decision was made in April: “We talked for about an hour and a half. I don't think Jimmy expected it, but he wasn't completely unexpected either.”
He added: “We felt it was right to give Jimmy and the public a chance to say goodbye. We didn't feel it was necessary to make the decision on the spot.” He decided that the Lord's game would be his last.
Anderson took 700 wickets during his professional career, breaking the record for a pace bowler in Test cricket. He ranks third on the all-time list of wicket-takers.
After 20 years of playing, Anderson has stepped away from cricket. The player said on his social media: But I know it's the right time to step back and help others achieve their dreams. ”
Opportunities are opening up for young bowlers as England's top players leave the game, with Stuart Broad retiring in the summer of 2023.
In his address to the press, Key emphasized the opportunities ahead for new players. “People need an opportunity to learn to bowl with a new ball, experience one day's worth of Test cricket and back it up the next day. Now is the time for people to start learning that.”
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