Brendon McCullum breaks silence on James Anderson preferring golf over PAK vs ENG Test

Legendary England pacer James Anderson made the headlines for preferring the golf course over his national duty as the tourists kicked off their Pakistan tour with the first Test in Multan on Monday, October 7. And now the England head coach, Brendon McCullum, has reacted to Anderson’s move.

James Anderson, England’s bowling coach, has opted to delay his arrival in Pakistan for the much-anticipated three-match Test series due to his participation in the prestigious Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland. The 42-year-old’s decision has sparked debate, but Brendon McCullum has thrown his full support behind the legendary fast bowler.

James Anderson's golf commitment raises eyebrows, Brendon McCullum defends bowling coach

Many have been questioning the timing of Anderson's commitment to golf over England’s preparation for the three-match Test series in Pakistan, but McCullum insisted that the bowling coach remains invaluable to the team despite not being with them in Pakistan.

Anderson already missed the pre-Test series presentation and won’t touch down in Pakistan until October 8, which will be the second day of the first Test in Multan. However, the bowling coach has been in constant communication with the England cricket team’s inexperienced pace attack.

Meanwhile, Brendon McCullum highlighted the stark shift in opinions regarding James Anderson's coaching role. He mentioned that people were questioning Anderson's qualifications for the coaching position just two months before, and now, however, his absence is felt significantly by them.

Two months ago, you guys were saying he did not deserve to be the coach: Brendon McCullum to James Anderson's critics

The England head coach said that it was the result of the positive impact Anderson has had in his brief time transitioning from player to coach. McCullum emphasized that it is possible to maintain connections and provide guidance even when not physically present in this generation.

According to Wisden, Brendon McCullum said on Sky Sports: “Two months ago, you guys were saying he did not deserve to be the coach. Now we are missing him. That is affirmation of how good an impact Jimmy Anderson has made in the short period of time [during] his transition from player to coach. We live in a world where you can still communicate without being face to face.”

Notably, England currently holds fourth place in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 points table, with a record of eight wins, seven losses, and one draw, following their victories over the West Indies and Sri Lanka in the recent Test series.

Pakistan looking for a comeback and making strong start in the Multan Test

On the other hand, Pakistan presently sits in eighth place in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 standings after suffering a whitewash at the hands of Bangladesh in the two-match Test series at home last month.

Speaking about the Multan Test, Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first against England. Abdullah Shafique (102) and captain Shan Masood’s 151 took the hosts to 328/4 at the stump on Day 1 of the ongoing first Test of the three-match Test series against England.