England bowling consultant and veteran seamer Jimmy Anderson’s decision to skip the team’s preparations for the Test series in Pakistan for a golf tournament has raised eyebrows.
The 42-year-old Anderson, who retired in July, was later appointed England’s red-ball bowling mentor. However, ahead of Monday’s first Test against Pakistan in Multan, Anderson was not part of England’s pre-series preps as he travelled to Scotland to participate in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, a pro-am golf tournament.
England’s attack is short on overseas experience and that was exemplified when Pakistan made a rapid start with the bat after winning the toss on Day 1. Blunting the English pace attack on a placid pitch, Pakistan had scored over 4.5 runs per over across two sessions as captain Shan Masood brought up his first Test hundred after four years.
Former English first-class cricketer and renowned pace coach Ian Pont lamented England’s poor bowling performance on the opening day while also taking a dig at Anderson’s absence. “England’s seam bowlers badly under the pump in Multan. Pakistan completely cashing in on a flat track and some lacklustre bowling. Under this modern coaching regime, England’s bowling consultant is 3 under par though on the golf course, which is good news,” Pont wrote on X.
England's seam bowlers badly under the pump in Multan. Pakistan completely cashing in on a flat track and some lacklustre bowling. Under this modern coaching regime, England's bowling consultant is 3 under par though on the golf course, which is good news. #everycloud#PAKvsENG
— Ian Pont Official (@Ponty100mph) October 7, 2024
‘McCullum backs Jimmy’
However, England head coach Brendon McCullum threw his weight behind Anderson on the eve of the Test, insisting that it was a collective decision. Speaking to former England captain Michael Atherton on 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.”
McCullum also insisted that “We live in a world where you can still communicate without being face to face.”
“It’s a combined decision amongst everyone. He [Anderson] has made a huge transition from a 20-odd-year career into his new role and “he is on as a bowling consultant as well, it is not a full-time role.”
"I don't have any concerns, it was a combined decision" 🗣️
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
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 6, 2024
McCullum also said te packed schedule called for mandatory breaks as Anderson had opted for. “The challenges and demands of the international cricket calendar mean you need to get out and enjoy yourself as well. If he were at home with his family, I question whether anyone would have problems with it.”
At 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 Tests, retired after the Lord’s Test against West Indies in July with a haul of 704 wickets, the best-ever for a fast bowler.
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