Ashes 2021-22: Michael Vaughan Urges England To Look Beyond James Anderson And Manage His Transition

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has urged the England team that it is time that they let James Anderson go after the Ashes 2021-22, as now is the need for them to blood in youngsters and look beyond the ace pacer, who is their all-time highest Test wicket-taker with 640 scalps.

Vaughan, however, said that the 39-year-old is by far England’s best fast bowler and still has 2 good years of high-level cricket left in him, but it doesn’t mean that England should continue with him. The Joe Root-led team managed to hold onto a draw in the 4^th Test match in Sydney by one wicket to spare.

However, they have already lost the Ashes 2021-22 to Australia after losing the first three Test matches and have only managed to avoid a whitewash with the SCG Test draw.

“Managing Jimmy’s retirement is going to be key to this team moving forward. His future is the big elephant in the room. It is not about sacking Jimmy. It is about what is right for English cricket. The right thing is to transition but do it respectfully.

You can only do that by having strong conversations with Jimmy about what is going to happen. England cannot move on and be a world force with Anderson at the helm. I love watching Jimmy bowl. He is a poet with the ball in hand. He could still be England’s best bowler for another two years. (Former Australia bowling greats) Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath retired with one or two years of high-level cricket still left in them. Just because you can still perform does not mean you should keep going on and on,” Vaughan wrote in his column for the Telegraph.

Anderson has taken eight wickets in the current Ashes series, which Australia leads 3-0 after four Tests.

Eke Out Every Ounce Of Knowledge From Jimmy About How To Bowl At This Level: Michael Vaughan

Michael Vaughan was in England team when Anderson made his debut in 2003 against Zimbabwe and later took over the captaincy from Nasser Hussain. Vaughan said that England needs to prepare for the future and cannot carry on with Anderson as their best bowler in the XI.

He said that there are likes of Saqib Mahmood and Olly Stone who are ready to take over for the three lions and said that England must squeeze out any knowledge about fast bowling from James Anderson and have him in support, as they prepare for the future.

“Eke out every ounce of knowledge from Jimmy about how to bowl at this level and keep him involved but bowlers like Saqib Mahmood and Olly Stone need a run in the team. There will be around 60 Tests before England play in Australia again. Are we going to come back here and win with guys who have played only five or 10 Tests? No,” Vaughan wrote.

The final Test of the Ashes 2021-22 will be played in Hobart from January 14 onwards.

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