Cricket

James Anderson, the legendary English fast bowler, is set to retire from international cricket after the fifth Test against India at Lord's. The 40-year-old has been a mainstay of the England team for over two decades, taking a record 700 Test wickets.Anderson's career has been marked by his exceptional skill and longevity. He has the ability to swing the ball both ways at high speeds, making him a formidable threat to batsmen. He has also been a master of reverse swing, a technique that allows him to make the ball swing in the opposite direction of its natural swing.Anderson's most memorable moments include dismissing Michael Clarke with a perfect yorker at Lord's in 2015, and VVS Laxman with a devastating inswinger at The Oval in 2011. He also played a key role in England's famous victory over India at Eden Gardens in 2012, taking five wickets in the first innings.Despite his age, Anderson has remained in excellent physical condition and has continued to perform at the highest level. However, the England management has decided that it is time for him to retire, in order to give younger bowlers a chance to establish themselves.Anderson has expressed his disappointment at being forced to retire, but he understands the decision. He is now looking forward to mentoring the next generation of England bowlers and helping them to achieve success.Anderson's retirement marks the end of an era for English cricket. He has been one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, and his legacy will live on for many years to come.

England's Alice Capsey and Maia Bouchier propelled their team to a formidable total of 89 for 6 in a rain-shortened second T20I against New Zealand in Hove. Capsey's blistering 28 off 15 deliveries and Bouchier's composed 23 off 15 set the stage for England's victory.Despite the persistent rain delaying the start by two hours and reducing the match to nine overs per side, England's batters showcased their adaptability. Capsey and Bouchier found the boundary with ease, while Heather Knight contributed a quickfire 15 and Sophie Ecclestone ended the innings with a towering six.New Zealand's chase faltered under the pressure of Charlie Dean's exceptional bowling. Dean ripped through the Kiwi batting lineup, claiming two wickets in a single over for just three runs. Her victims included the dangerous Suzie Bates and Brooke Halliday, leaving New Zealand reeling at 28 for 3.Sarah Glenn's diving catch to dismiss Bates further dented New Zealand's hopes. Jess Kerr's dismissal off Ecclestone's bowling sealed the victory for England, who took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match series.The match was ultimately decided by the DLS method due to the persistent rain, with England emerging victorious by 23 runs. Dean's impressive figures of 2 for 3 in 1.4 overs proved decisive in securing the win.

Andrew Strauss, former England captain and current director of men's cricket at the ECB, has strongly advocated for James Anderson to be knighted as the legendary pacer prepares for his final Test appearance at Lord's. With 700 career dismissals at an impressive average of 26.52, Anderson stands as the most prolific pace bowler in Test cricket history and England's most capped cricketer.Strauss, who received a knighthood in 2019 for his contributions to charity, sport, and cricket, believes Anderson's exceptional achievements warrant the honor. Having captained Anderson for 42 Tests and worked closely with him as the ECB's director of men's cricket, Strauss has witnessed firsthand Anderson's brilliance and longevity.Despite retiring from Test cricket 12 years ago, Strauss recognizes the remarkable endurance of Anderson, who made his debut a year after him in 2004. "Any fast bowler that plays 188 Test matches deserves a knighthood," Strauss asserted.Strauss had previously attempted to phase out Anderson and Stuart Broad, who retired last summer. However, after a disastrous Ashes campaign in 2021-22, Strauss, then serving as interim director of cricket, dropped the pair for a tour of the West Indies.Under the leadership of Ben Stokes, Anderson and Broad were reinstated for the home summer. However, with the next Ashes series approaching, Strauss believes it is time to transition to a younger generation of bowlers."Jimmy's still bowling well, but there's a ticking clock there for the next Ashes," Strauss said. "I think 18 games until the next Ashes. And at some stage, you've got to juggle the needs for the future with the needs for the present."Strauss emphasized that winning in Australia requires a high-quality and diverse bowling attack, and he believes the next Ashes is too far away for Anderson. "People have written him off many times, but that does feel too far down the road," he said.While Anderson's Test career may be coming to an end, Strauss believes it is fitting that he receives a farewell at Lord's, where he has enjoyed many memorable moments. The match will also serve as an opportunity to raise funds and awareness for the Ruth Strauss Foundation, which supports families facing the death of a parent from cancer.

Ben Stokes, England's Test captain, is eager to resume his all-rounder role as the team embarks on its summer campaign against West Indies at Lord's. The first Test marks a new era for England, with James Anderson retiring after a remarkable 188-cap career.Stokes' return to full fitness after a knee injury that hindered his bowling ability over the past two years will ease the transition from Anderson's departure. His successful surgery in November and pain-free performance during the India tour earlier this year have paved the way for his recovery.During the County Championship matches, Stokes bowled ahead of schedule and took 18 wickets in 89.1 overs. He is now as fit as he has been in the last five years and relishes the prospect of regaining his balance as a batsman and bowler."I can now say that I can play the full role I had been doing for the first eight to 10 years," Stokes said. "The last two years have been tough with the knee problems, but I've done everything right to get myself to where I am now."Stokes' return to all-rounder status coincides with a new perspective as captain. He and Test coach Brendon McCullum have adopted a more forward-thinking approach, focusing on the upcoming Ashes tour of Australia. This shift prompted Anderson's retirement, as he will be 43 by the 2025/26 winter.Despite a 4-1 defeat in India, Stokes' record as captain remains strong with 14 wins from 23 Tests. However, the past four months have been marked by introspection and a desire to evolve the team."We've been a team focused on the here and now," Stokes said. "I want to implement stuff to push this team as far as they can go, not only as a team collective but also as individuals."The selections of wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and spinner Shoaib Bashir reflect England's long-term planning. Smith, despite being Surrey's second-choice keeper, has impressed with his batting and fits into the team's strategy at No. 7. Bashir, who moved on loan to Worcestershire, has shown promise in India and offers variety with his height and individual traits.Stokes acknowledges that these decisions, particularly Anderson's retirement, may raise questions. However, he believes it is his duty as captain to make tough calls that will ultimately benefit the team."There's always going to be decisions that are hard ones to make," Stokes said. "But that's a responsibility that you take on as captain or as a leader."

England's Test squad for the first match against West Indies at Lord's has undergone significant changes, with three debutants set to make their mark. Surrey's Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith will make their Test debuts, while offspinner Shoaib Bashir will play his first home Test.Atkinson, a promising pace bowler, has impressed with his speed and consistency for Surrey. He has been earmarked as a long-term option for England's pace attack, and his selection is a testament to his potential. Smith, a wicketkeeper-batsman, has been in excellent form for Surrey this season, scoring two centuries and averaging over 50 in the County Championship. He will take over the gloves from Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow, who have been dropped from the squad.Bashir, who made his Test debut in India earlier this year, has been rewarded for his impressive performances with a home debut. He has shown great control and accuracy with his offspin, and his selection ahead of Jack Leach indicates England's faith in his abilities.Chris Woakes also returns to the XI after missing the India series. His all-round abilities provide balance to the team, and he is expected to play a key role in England's transitional period with the impending retirement of James Anderson.The England XI for the first Test against West Indies is as follows:1. Zak Crawley2. Ben Duckett3. Ollie Pope4. Joe Root5. Harry Brook6. Ben Stokes (capt)7. Jamie Smith (wk)8. Chris Woakes9. Gus Atkinson10. Shoaib Bashir11. James Anderson

Jason Holder, the former West Indies captain, is eager to make a strong return to Test cricket after missing the thrilling victory over Australia in January. Holder, who opted out of a central contract to play in the ILT20, believes the experience of watching from afar has given him renewed motivation.Despite being underdogs, Holder is confident that West Indies can challenge England at Lord's. He points to their recent Test victory in Australia and their impressive performances in England in 2017 and 2020. Holder emphasizes the importance of learning and believing in their abilities.The current tour is a stark contrast to the 2020 visit, which was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Holder recalls the challenging experience of being confined to bio-secure environments. However, he is grateful for the opportunity to bring joy to the Caribbean people during a difficult time.Holder's preparations for his Test return included matches for Barbados and Worcestershire. He credits his time with Worcestershire for giving him a boost of energy. While acknowledging the impending retirement of James Anderson, Holder believes that West Indies must move on and focus on their own strengths.

James Anderson, the legendary English fast bowler, is set to bid farewell to international cricket after the first Test against the West Indies at Lord's, commencing on Wednesday. The 42-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable career spanning over two decades, amassing an unparalleled 700 Test wickets.Anderson's longevity and consistency have been exceptional. He is the only fast bowler to have taken more than 700 Test wickets, and his 188 Test appearances are second only to Sachin Tendulkar's 200. Despite his age, Anderson remains a potent force, as evidenced by his recent 7-35 for Lancashire.Reflecting on his impending retirement, Anderson expressed pride in his achievements. "Playing my 188th Test at just short of 42 years old, makes me the most proud," he said. "I'm still pushing myself to be the best I possibly can."Anderson's decision to retire from international cricket is part of England's long-term planning for the 2025/26 Ashes series against Australia. While he remains uncertain about his future in first-class cricket, he has not ruled out continuing to represent Lancashire.Anderson's impact on cricket has been profound. His mastery of swing bowling has made him one of the most feared bowlers in the world. His legacy will be celebrated for generations to come, regardless of whether he chooses to continue playing for Lancashire or not.

England's spin quartet, led by Sarah Glenn's three-wicket haul, dominated New Zealand in the first T20I, setting the stage for a thrilling five-match series. Glenn's legspin proved devastating, claiming the wickets of experienced batters Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine. Off-spinner Charlie Dean chipped in with two wickets, while world No. 1 Sophie Ecclestone and Linsey Smith took one each.Glenn expressed her delight at being part of such a formidable spin attack, emphasizing the diversity and effectiveness of each bowler. She welcomed the addition of Smith, who has consistently performed well in the powerplay and at the death.England captain Heather Knight indicated that the team would experiment with different combinations during the series to finalize their squad for the T20 World Cup in October. Glenn expressed confidence in the spin-heavy lineup, stating that it provided multiple perspectives and support.Despite their spin dominance, England dropped several catches and misfielded, which could have resulted in an even wider margin of victory. However, Glenn remained optimistic, believing that the team could improve their fielding with focus and intent.New Zealand's Suzie Bates acknowledged the challenge posed by England's spinners but expressed faith in her team's ability to counter-attack. She emphasized the need for bravery and aggression against the world-class spin attack.The series, which moves to Hove on Tuesday, will provide both teams with valuable preparation for the T20 World Cup. England will look to refine their spin-heavy strategy, while New Zealand will aim to find ways to neutralize it.

England's dominant batting performance, led by Danni Wyatt's rapid half-century, propelled them to a commanding 59-run victory over New Zealand in the first T20I at Southampton.Wyatt's blistering 76 off 51 deliveries, adorned with 11 fours and a six, set the tone for England's imposing total of 197 for 3. Nat Sciver-Brunt (47 off 23) and Maia Bouchier (32 off 26) provided valuable support, showcasing England's class and ability to manipulate the crease effectively.New Zealand's chase faltered from the outset, with Georgia Plimmer's run-out. England's spinners then took control, with Sarah Glenn (3-16) and Charlie Dean (2-28) leading the charge. Glenn's hat-trick in the 10th over, including the wickets of Suzie Bates and Maddy Green, left New Zealand reeling at 64 for 5.Despite Jess Kerr's defiant 38, New Zealand's innings was plagued by missed chances and a lack of partnerships. Freya Kemp, returning from injury, claimed the final wicket with the last ball of the match.England's victory not only secured a 1-0 lead in the five-match series but also allowed them to catch the start of their football team's Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland, having missed only 26 minutes of the match.