On Tuesday, England’s ODI contingent had to undergo isolation after seven members tested positive for COVID-19 and the rest deemed to be in close contact, leading to the entire squad being isolated. Ahead of the three-match series against Pakistan, England had to name a fresh squad, and the flamboyant all-rounder, Ben Stokes has been elected as the captain of the team.
Fast bowler Stuart Broad saw the development as an opportunity to tease his Test teammate James Anderson, asking him if he still had his ODI cap. Tweeting about the same, Stuart Broad wrote: “Still got your ODI cap @jimmy9?!” as he responded to a report about the England squad Covid outbreak. Anderson came up with a hilarious response using a GIF from the hit sitcom ‘Friends’.
— James Anderson (@jimmy9) July 6, 2021
James Anderson and Stuart Broad are both veterans in the longest format of the game for England but it has been a while since the two fast bowlers picked up the white ball for the national team.
ALSO READ: Saba Karim Elaborates How Virat Kohli Can Win ICC Tournaments
James Anderson played his last ODI came in 2015, while Stuart Broad last played the 50-over format a year later. Broad also took to Twitter to share a picture of the two from an ODI match. He had tweeted, “It’s still this kit, right?!”
It’s still this kit, right?! @jimmy9 🏴 pic.twitter.com/wY1oqQqTgO
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) July 6, 2021
Stuart Broad and James Anderson’s exchange opened the floodgates for a flurry of memes and jokes, with nostalgic fans asking for several veterans to return for England.
ALSO READ: Aakash Chopra Reveals Reasons Behind Bumrah’s Poor Form Against New Zealand
Here are some of the reactions from the fans towards the banter between Anderson and Broad:
Please – can you 🙏
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) July 6, 2021
Congrats lads on the recall. Well deserved
Hales
Cook
Pietersen
Bell
Fairbrother
Flintoff
G Jones
Giles
Broad
Sidebottom
Anderson— Alex Smith (@alexdsmiff) July 6, 2021
One last dance? pic.twitter.com/NjiKvba19Z
— Ryan (@ryandesa_07) July 6, 2021
Here we go? pic.twitter.com/eiDSBllWIk
— Diptiman Yadav (@Dipti_6450) July 6, 2021
— Liam Smith (@Liam_Smith_95) July 6, 2021
— Matt Sewell (@Unchowiee) July 6, 2021
England selectors right now pic.twitter.com/jbwJEGHOFC
— Mark Fletcher (@nstanfletch73) July 6, 2021
While Anderson may not turn out for England against Pakistan, he is keeping himself busy achieving new milestones. On Monday, he had surpassed the tally of 1,000 first-class wickets with a career-best haul of 7/14 against Kent.
