Former England players Alec Stewart and Dominic Cork have on Sunday (July 26) opined that the Three Lions should play veteran speedsters James Anderson and Stuart Broad together as long as possible unless there are fitness or injury concerns.
Stewart and Cork believe that Anderson and Broad – who are both playing together in the ongoing third and final Test against the West Indies in Manchester, complement each other well and their performances over the years have only proved that age is just a number.
There were a lot of talks whether England’s top two wicket-takers would play together since Broad made way for Anderson in the first Test and then the second Test saw the return of country's second most wicket-taker, but the hosts decided to play them together in the final Test as they are looking clinch the Wisden Trophy at home against the current holders in Manchester.
In the ongoing Test series decider, Broad claimed 6/31 while Anderson took 2/28 to help England to restrict West Indies for 197 in their first innings on the second day, in reply to England’s 369.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ “Cricket Debate”, Stewart said: “A lot has been said and written about whether Broad and Anderson are on their way out and if they should play together.”
The former captain further added, “Well, they have shown that forget what their age is and what their birth certificates say - if you are good enough (age doesn’t matter). Pick on performance and what people can do. I appreciate having an eye on the future but, here and now, Broad and Anderson taking the new ball are as good as there is and they showed all their qualities.”
Meanwhile, Cork said of the two: “I understand these are back-to-back Test matches and England wants to make sure they (Anderson and Broad) play the majority of games.”
The 48-year-old signed off by saying: “But they are closing in on 1,000 Test wickets between them and complement each other really well with their different styles of bowling. Jimmy understands the art of wobble seam and then when he swaps ends, he tries to swing it, while Broad seems to be learning even more. While they are both fit and want to play, they play every single Test match for me. Unless there are injury doubts, they are the first two on the list.”
Noteworthy, Broad and Anderson both have played 117 Tests together for England, but have fielded together only three times in the last 15 Tests.
(With PTI Inputs)
