Cricket

James Anderson, England's legendary fast bowler, will join the team's backroom staff as a fast-bowling mentor upon his retirement from Test cricket after the upcoming series opener against the West Indies at Lord's. The 41-year-old is the first seamer and only third bowler to have taken 700 Test wickets, following spinners Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan.Anderson's decision to retire from Test cricket stems from England's desire to move on ahead of the 2025/26 Ashes. However, England managing director Rob Key has emphasized the value of Anderson's experience and expertise, stating that he will continue to play a role in the team's setup as a mentor.Key believes that Anderson has a wealth of knowledge to offer English cricket and is keen to retain his services. Anderson's future with Lancashire remains uncertain, but Key expects that his plans will become clearer after the Lord's Test.England have included three uncapped players in their squad for the first two matches of the three-Test series against the West Indies. Jamie Smith has been selected as the wicketkeeper ahead of Jonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes. Smith, who averages over 50 in the County Championship this season, is seen as a promising prospect for the future.Key explained that Smith's selection is based on his potential and the belief that he can develop into a top-class international cricketer. He also consulted with former England wicketkeepers Chris Read, James Foster, and Alec Stewart to assess Smith's suitability for the role.Key acknowledged that Bairstow, who has struggled for form lately, needs to rediscover his previous level of performance. He expressed concerns about Bairstow's ability to withstand the demands of keeping wicket for extended periods in Test matches.Key also addressed the recent defeats in the T20 World Cup and the 50-over World Cup, which have raised questions about the future of England's white-ball captain Jos Buttler and coach Matthew Mott. He stated that he will take his time in making decisions regarding their positions and will assess the team's performance in the upcoming series against Australia.