Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith to make England Test debuts vs West Indies

But all eyes will be on Anderson, who has revealed that he had a suspicion his international career was about to be ended when he was asked to attend a meeting with Stokes, the head coach Brendon McCullum, and Rob Key, the managing director of England men’s cricket, at the start of the season.

“I wouldn’t say it was a surprise, because when the three big dogs invited me to a hotel in Manchester for a chat, I didn’t think it was just a normal appraisal,” Anderson said. “I had a suspicion this was going to be the case. I think they were surprised at how calm I was when I reacted, and I think I was probably surprised at my reaction.

“I wasn’t overly emotional or angry about it or anything. I saw their point of view and appreciated them taking the time to lay it out for me, their reasoning and stuff like that.”

It wasn’t necessarily a decision that Anderson agreed with though. While acknowledging that he would be 43 by the start of next Ashes series, he said: “For me, age is just a number. I don’t feel 41. I still feel as fit as I ever have, like I’m bowling as well as I ever have. My record has got much better since turning 35. I still think I could do a job, but at the same time I understand that it has to end at some point.”

Anderson knew the writing was on the wall when summoned to a meeting with Stokes, McCullum and Key

PA

Although Stokes was part of the management group that decided to end Anderson’s international career, the England Test captain does believe that the veteran seamer still has world-class skills. However, he said the decision was made with the future in mind.

“He is still incredible” Stokes told the Telegraph. “His skill set will be missed but I look at it this way — the group of bowlers we have now are at the worst they are going to be because they will only get better. Their ceiling is so high, the more game time we can give them we will find ourselves in a very strong position in Australia.”

Justification of the decision was not made easier last week, when Anderson took seven first-innings wickets in the County Championship match between Lancashire and Nottinghamshrie. Stokes jokingly texted Anderson afterwards, saying: “Did you really have to do that?” To which Anderson replied: “Yeah. Haha, sorry mate.”

Stokes explained that the decision to drop Bairstow and Foakes in favour of Smith was down to the consistency Smith has shown in the past three years, and that “we feel the way he plays and takes the game on is a perfect fit for us”. He added that Bairstow had not managed to regain his form after the horrific leg injury he suffered in October 2022 while playing golf.

The England captain also delivered an encouraging update on his left knee, saying that it is “the best it has been for a long time” after undergoing meniscus surgery in November. Stokes bowled a limited number of overs during England’s tour to India, but his injury and subsequent recovery has often left the side with a long tail, given the need to select an extra bowler. Now he is ready to be restored to the role of England’s fourth seamer, having taken 18 wickets at 18.83 in three County Championship matches for Durham this season.

“The bowling is coming on really well — it is great to be able to sit here after two years not knowing how it was going to be on a day-to-day basis to now being as good as gold,” Stokes said. “It is really refreshing for me as a player and captain knowing we can always have four seamers. It balances the team so much better. I know I offer the team so much more when playing a bigger role with bat and ball. It doesn’t mean it is brand new, but it is a thousand times better than what it was.”

While Stokes and McCullum are very much looking towards the future, the focus this week will be on giving Anderson a fitting farewell as he prepares to bring the curtain down on a 22-year international career. Anderson, though, admitted that his emotions could still get the better of him.

“I just want to contribute to the team and a win,” he said. “That’s the reason I’ve played cricket for so long, to experience those moments of winning series, winning games, in the dressing room after, sharing a beer with the other guys knowing that everyone’s worked really hard to achieve that goal.

“I’d love to be able to sit down at the end of the Test match with a beer with all the lads having won the game. I’m trying not to think too much about the game itself yet or certainly how I’d feel about it. The big thing for this week is wanting to play well, bowl well and get a win.

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“I’m sure the emotions during the week will change, but right now that’s what I’m trying to focus on, to stop myself crying. It’s been a strange couple of months, but I feel pretty happy with where things are now and pretty excited for the week ahead.”

Last summer, Anderson’s long-time bowling partner and close friend Stuart Broad bowed out of Test cricket in fairytale fashion, hitting a six off the final ball he faced in Test cricket and taking the last wicket to ensure an England victory against Australia at the Oval, and a drawn Ashes series.

“I don’t think I’ll be doing anything like Broady did,” Anderson said. “I’ve hit five sixes in my international career. In 187 games, it’s not looking positive hitting a six this week, but I’d love to just be able to contribute somehow — even if it is one wicket.”

Anderson is third on the all-time list of Test wicket-takers, behind Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne, and needs nine in this Test to overtake the great Australian leg spinner, who ended his career on 708.

England team Z Crawley, B Duckett, O Pope, J Root, H Brook, B Stokes (capt), J Smith (wkt), C Woakes, G Atkinson, S Bashir, J Anderson.

England v West Indies

First Test, Lord’s
Starts Wednesday, 11am
TV Sky Sports Cricket