Anderson, Broad to make Test return on Ben Stokes' demand

As the English cricket welcomes their new Test skipper, Ben Stokes, it is likely that in all possibility, the legendary pace-bowling duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad will make their international comeback in the 2022 summer.

With Stokes now in charge of the team to forge a comeback in Test cricket, the new leader has certainly set up the plans, including bringing Anderson and Broad back into the set-up.

Managing Director of England Men's Cricket Rob Key confirmed the return of the two veteran pacers on Stokes' demand. When Sky Sports asked Key if Anderson and Broad would mark their return in the upcoming English summer, he said, "Yeah, they will."

"Before it got announced I was doing this job, I rang them up and said to both of them that - in my opinion - you're both available for selection. I can't promise you you're going to play all that type of stuff; you're just available for selection. Then Ben Stokes was very clear that he wants Jimmy and Broady to come back in," Key said.

"Now, it will be purely be done on what is the best eleven to win that first Test match, nothing more and nothing less. So if they're in that, which is every chance they will be because they're two great bowlers, then they'll play," he added.

Further, the cricketer-turned-administrator shared the details of his conversation with the returning pair when he first broke the good news to them.

"They were fine. They just want to continue on this journey they've been on, and they just didn't want it to finish in the way it might have.

"They were obviously both very happy and pleased to be up for selection for that first Test match." Key further said.

While the captaincy debate has finally settled, the head coach's position remains to be filled. Although Key admitted that all the options are being explored, he hinted at a personal inclination towards World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten.

"I think Gary Kirsten would be very good at that job. I think all of the names I've seen in the papers would be good if they got the chance to do it; it's just finding out who the best is.

"I'm sort of looking at everyone around; I haven't spoken to people yet. I'm just doing the digging on these to see exactly what they're like as coaches," he asserted.

However, Key ruled no one out of the race and said, "No one is out of the running so far, and it's for me - and the people I trust - to try and work out who the best is.

"To work with Ben Stokes, Eoin Morgan, and whatever will happen with white-ball cricket, two very different sides, it's up to me to decide who the best is to lead England forward," Key concluded.

England this year will have a busy summer, starting with the red-ball series against New Zealand from June 2. Then, 'The Three Lions' will battle against India and South Africa after facing the Netherlands in three ODI fixtures.