Former England pacer James Anderson did not board the plane to Pakistan for the three-match Test series. England face Pakistan in a three-match Test series as a part of the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle 2023-25.
England, who have won nine of their previous ten Tests, face an under-confident Pakistan away from home. However, the visitors are not accompanied by their bowling coach and legendary fast bowler James Anderson.
Anderson announced his international retirement earlier this year. The 42-year-old was soon appointed as the Test team's bowling coach and was supposed to travel to Pakistan with the squad.
However, the former England international missed England's pre-series preparations and was also absent at the start of the first Test in Multan on Monday.
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Why didn't James Anderson travel to Pakistan with England squad?
James Anderson missed the pre-series practice sessions for the Pakistan Tests. Moreover, he did not even travel to Pakistan in time before the first Test kicked off.
The 42-year-old had his commitments outside of cricket and has been busy fulfilling them. Fresh out of his playing days, Anderson has taken his time off cricket, to make the fullest of his second innings of life (life after retirement).
Anderson is currently competing in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, a pro-am golf tournament, in Scotland. The former cricketer has taken up golf as a hobby sport, and head coach Brendon McCullum has spoken in the former pacer's defence in his absence.
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What did Brendon McCullum say about James Anderson's absence for 1st Test?
England head coach Brendon McCullum has spoken out in favour of Anderson for missing out on the first day of the first Test. The bowling coach will join the squad from October 08, i.e. day two of the ongoing Test.
Speaking to Sky Sports, McCullum said, "Two months ago, you guys were saying he didn’t deserve to be the coach. Now we are missing him. That’s affirmation of how good an impact Jimmy Anderson has made in the short period of time [during] his transition from player to coach."
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The head coach later revealed that Anderson was in constant contact with the English bowlers and the coaching staff, despite not being physically present with the squad in Pakistan.
He added, "We live in a world where you can still communicate without being face to face. He will be here by the second day (October 8). It is a combined decision amongst everyone. He [Anderson] has made a huge transition from a 20-odd-year career into his new role."
"I don't have any concerns, it was a combined decision" 🗣️
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 6, 2024
Brendon McCullum defends bowling consultant, James Anderson's decision to play in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship meaning he will miss the start of the first Test against Pakistan 🏴 pic.twitter.com/0B2CGkJUiu
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