Mark Wood replaces retired James Anderson for ENG vs WI 2nd Test
Mark Wood has replaced James Anderson for the upcoming second Test between England and West Indies at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, which starts on Thursday (July 18). Ben Stokes and Co. have stuck with the same lineup apart from the mandatory change in their playing XI.
Anderson retired from international cricket after the opening Test of the series in Lord’s. The 41-year-old finished as the highest wicket-taker among pacers in Tests, with 704 wickets in his illustrious career.
He finished only behind legendary spinners Shane Warne (708 wickets) and Muttiah Muralitharan (800) on the highest wicket-takers list in the format. The hosts bid him a fitting farewell by winning the first of three Test match series by an inning and 114 runs.
On the other hand, Wood has represented England in 34 Tests, picking up 108 wickets. The 34-year-old will be keen to fill in Anderson’s shoes.
“We are moving in the right direction” – Joe Root lauds Gus Atkinson as James Anderson bids adieu to Tests
Former England captain Joe Root has lauded Gus Atkinson for his heroics on his debut as James Anderson parted ways with international cricket. The reaction came as Atkinson bagged 12 wickets, including a seven-fer and a five-wicket haul against the West Indies. Root recently told Agence France Press (via India Today):
“I think the future does look very bright in the bowling department. We've lost our greatest ever bowler but for Gus to come in and do that shows a lot about where we are as a team. We are moving in the right direction.”
Root added that England are using the Test series to prepare for the Ashes next year:
"I think as a player, the Ashes is the series that you're always looking forward to, they're the ones you're always building towards. When teams have gone out there, what they need for those conditions is someone like Gus that can bowl in the late 80mphs, early 90mphs, and still move the ball around and make things happen at high pace.”
England playing XI for 2ndTest vs WI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood and Shoaib Bashir.