David Lloyd has lashed out at the England team for “forcing” James Anderson into retirement. The former England cricketer compared it with his situation of not getting commentary work, saying that in this “era of inclusivity” as well as people are being stopped from work because of their age as well.
Anderson, however, retired after the conclusion of the first Test against the West Indies on Friday, July 12, after a career spanning over two decades and including a record 704 Test wickets as well. The legendary pace bowler reportedly held talks with head coach Brendon McCullum who informed him of the team’s plans to build new players towards the Ashes in Australia later this year as well.
“So, it’s farewell to one of the greatest,” Lloyd wrote in the Daily Mail. “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. 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. Reader, let me tell you: I know the feeling. Inclusivity, my arse.”
Lloyd also shared that as England look for a replacement for Anderson for the second Test, Gus Atkinson might be left out despite his 12-wicket haul in the last game because of his injury concerns over the years.
“My issue is with the International Cricket Council,” he added in his column. “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. West Indies have given us some of the greatest players of all time, but the financial landscape has changed dramatically and they are indisputably one of the have nots. I implore India, England and Australia: do the decent thing and reconsider revenue distribution,” David Lloyd concluded.
