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'Drop James Anderson For Lord's Test,' Former Australian Opener Makes Harsh Call After Edgbaston Loss

image-lj5doqynAnderson bagged just 1 wicket in Edgbaston Test (AP Photo)

An enthralling encounter between England and Australia, ended on Thursday after Pat Cummins and Co. prevailed in the first Ashes 2023 Test by two wickets at Edgbaston. Chasing 281 to win, Australia managed to score 174 runs in a rain-marred Day 5, ensuring themselves a crucial 1-0 lead in their quest to claim their maiden Ashes series win in England since 2001.

Former Australian opener Chris Rogers feels that heading into the second Test at the Lord's, England might drop their talismanic bowler James Anderson. Anderson claimed just one wicket across both innings of the Birmingham Test, where he cleaned up wicket-keeper batter Alex Carey. 

Talking on the SEN podcast 'Whateley', Rogers claimed that Mark Wood is a likely contender to replace Anderson, given his sheer pace, which could trouble in-form batter Usman Khawaja.


Here's what Rogers said

"England have got to make some decisions I think. Not giving Jimmy Anderson the new ball right at the end of the game, I thought that was fascinating. They have three right-arm bowlers who kind of bowl all about the same pace." 

"In the end, someone like Usman Khawaja, he is not really put off by that pace. Someone like Mark Wood, who bowls a bit quicker, is probably going to be a little bit more challenging for a 36-year-old. I think they might drop Anderson, which is going to be fascinating, as they didn't seem to trust him at the end."

Interestingly, skipper Ben Stokes did not hand Anderson the second-new ball on Day 5, preferring to bowl Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson.  

Rogers, 45, also explained that Australia might field their best XI, and bring back Mitchell Starc, aiming to go 2-0 up in the five-match series.

The second Test gets underway on June 28.