Cricket

‘He Was Forced Out Because Of His Age’: David Lloyd Hits Out At England Cricket Board For Retiring James Anderson

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5 months ago

July 13, 2024

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‘He Was Forced Out Because Of His Age’: David Lloyd Hits Out At England Cricket Board For Retiring James Anderson

Updated Jul 13, 2024, 14:15 IST

Ace England pacer James Anderson retired after the end of the first Test against the West Indies on Friday, after a career spanning more than 20 years and including a record 704 Test wickets. But he reiterated that he wanted to continue at least for another year but ECB wanted a move-on.

‘He Was Forced Out Because Of His Age’: David Lloyd Hits Out At England Cricket Board For Retiring James Anderson

Former England allrounder David Lloyd has slammed the England Cricket Board, saying that James Anderson was forced out because of his age which was unnecessary. He said that in this era of inclusivity, people are being stopped from work due to their age. Anderson retired after the end of the first Test against the West Indies on Friday.

According to reports, Anderson held talks with head coach Brendon McCullum, skipper Ben Stokes and ECB chief Rob Key who informed him of the side’s plans to build afresh towards the Ashes in Australia in 2025.

Anderson continued to maintain that he was as fit as ever even at 41 but acknowledged that the side’s decision will be final.

“So, it’s farewell to one of the greatest. The sad thing about Jimmy Anderson’s departure is that he’s bowling as well as ever. Accuracy, pace, stamina, he’s shown all those qualities and he’s still taking wickets,” Lloyd wrote in his column for Daily Mail.

“They say they are moving him on with next year’s Ashes in mind. I say, pick your best team. He was forced out because of his age. In this era of inclusivity, it takes the biscuit that someone has been stopped for that reason,” Lloyd added.

The former England cricketer said that as England look for a replacement for Anderson for the second Test, Gus Atkinson is likely to be left out despite his 12-fer in the previous match due to his injury concerns over the years. Dillon Pennington might replace Anderson in the second Test.

“My issue is with the International Cricket Council. Come on, share the game’s wealth. International cricket should be contested by equals, but the problem now is some are more equal than others. I’d ask the big three countries to consider how they’d feel if the shoe was on the other foot,” Lloyd said on England facing a Windies side that seems way behind in quality and calibre.