Cricket

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.