Former England captain proposes "Knighthood" for James Anderson

James Anderson is all set to play his last Test match. The first Test against West Indies at Lord's is set to be his last Test. It will be the 188th of his career.

James Anderson's tally of 188th Test matches is the most for any cricketer in the world after Sachin Tendulkar's tally of 200. Anderson who made his international debut in 2003 has played over two decades at the top level.

He has 700 Test wickets to his name and he can add to his tally in the first Test against West Indies. He has 87 wickets to his name against the Windies. Meanwhile, Andrew Strauss the former England skipper has proposed Knighthood for Anderson, England's most capped Test cricketer.

Srauss has worked closely with Anderson having captained him in 42 Test matches and also working with him as the ECB Director. "Very much so! I think any fast bowler that plays 188 Test matches deserves a knighthood, I'll put it that way" said Strauss when asked if Anderson was worthy of Knighthood.

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The former England skipper also spoke on the possibility of Anderson playing the next Ashes in 2025. He said that the next Ashes is still a long time to go and hence expecting Anderson to continue for that long will not be ideal. England potentially play 18 more Test matches until the next Ashes.

Next Ashes Too Far For James Anderson: Andrew Strauss

"Jimmy's still bowling well, as we saw from his performances at Lancashire [for whom he took 7 for 35 last week] but there's a ticking clock there for the next Ashes, isn't there? 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. So I can understand why they've chosen this as the right time to do that" Strauss said.

"One thing we know for sure is that to win in Australia, or to win any test match or any Test series, it all comes down to the quality and variety of your bowling attack. And so, to me, the next Ashes is too far away for Jimmy" he further added.

Strauss will be present for Anderson's farewell with Lord's set to turn red on day two to support the Ruth Strauss Foundation's #RedForRuth campaign. This will be the sixth year of the campaign and raining enough funds for the treatment of cancer is the main aim of this foundation dedicated to Strauss' late wife.

Meanwhile, Egland and West Indies have both announced their playing XI for the first Test. England have two players who will make their debut namely, Gus Atkinson the pacer, and Jamie Smith the keeper-batter.

For West Indies, the onlus will be on their skipper Kraigg Brathwaite who is the more experienced batter in the side. Jason Holder and Jayden Seales are back in the side for this Test series. Meanwhile, Kemar Roach is ruled out with a knee injury.

Shahar Joseph, the breakout West Indies pacer who orchestrated West Indies' win against Australia has plans to ruin James Anderson's farewell Test match.

Also Read: ENG vs WI Head to Head Records-1st Test, West Indies tour of England 2024