At the conclusion of England’s clean sweep over West Indies, the standout bowler in terms of average and economy rate was… drum roll… Jimmy Anderson. Yes, even though he was ushered into retirement with a farewell first Test, the GOAT still led both teams in these statistics. His four wickets at Lord’s cost an average of 14.5 runs each, with an economy rate of 2.17; a fitting statistical footnote to a truly remarkable career.
Anderson chose not to join his teammates during the presentation of the Richards-Botham Trophy on Edgbaston’s outfield to Ben Stokes on Sunday. The trophy is a unique double-ended cup that symbolizes the holders depending on whether it’s filled with Caribbean rum or English ale. With a 3-0 series victory, England understandably chose to keep celebrations modest after an 18-month dry spell for a series win.
Choosing to remain in the background, Anderson quietly stepped into the role of bowling mentor throughout the last two Tests. Mark Wood acknowledged his guidance, which contributed to a devastating five-wicket spell of reverse swing on the final day, while head coach Brendon McCullum, who traveled halfway across the globe to give Anderson a crucial tap on the shoulder in late April, praised his valuable input.
“The way he exited the game at Lord’s will be a lasting memory for him,” McCullum stated. “To transition directly into our coaching staff… what he has contributed in these last couple of matches has been quite incredible.
“As a player, sometimes you don’t fully invest in others due to concerns over your own performance. However, the insights he’s been able to share and the smooth integration into our coaching team have made us fortunate to have him. It’s a tough transition, but Jimmy seems genuinely happy and I feel lucky to have him with us.”
Admittedly, the West Indies batting lineup was fragile, as demonstrated by Kirk McKenzie’s dismal series averaging 5.5 from six innings, or Jason Holder batting at No. 6, arguably a position too high for him. England could have considered using either Matthew Potts or Dillon Pennington in the final Test, especially since the Anderson decision was made with the future in mind after already winning the series. However, as the two victories unfolded in Nottingham and Birmingham, the reasoning behind the legendary bowler’s exit began to solidify.
The new structure of England’s Test attack comprises a blend of one reliable home performer (Chris Woakes), two outright quick bowlers capable of reverse swing (Wood and Gus Atkinson), and an attacking spinner (Shoaib Bashir, rather than Jack Leach). Overall, this configuration functioned effectively. They encountered difficulty only once, during a clever last-wicket stand of 61 runs between Joshua Da Silva and Shamar Joseph in Nottingham that had the latter sending balls crashing onto spectators below.
One notable name missing from this discussion is Stokes. After 10 days of largely undisputed cricket—West Indies only showing brief glimpses of form at Trent Bridge and Edgbaston—the most significant change beyond Jamie Smith’s impressive emergence as a talented wicketkeeper-batter was Stokes’s return to bowling. The last England team to achieve victory in Australia, in 2010-11, managed to do so with a four-man attack, but reliant on world-class spinner Graeme Swann. Otherwise, effective attacks typically featured an all-rounder, such as Ian Botham, Andrew Flintoff, or Stokes.
Stokes bowling out Rohit Sharma in Dharamshala last March with his first delivery after knee surgery was typical but rather exceptional for him. Conversely, he showcased his capabilities throughout this series, bowling 49 overs after a solid buildup with Durham, proving the successful outcome of his surgery. The 33-year-old showed no signs of the grimaces from last summer, evidenced by his urgent need for medical intervention, and the positive influence on England’s new strategy was unmistakable.
This change was largely due to the volume of overs Stokes bowled, enabling Wood and Atkinson to complete their spells in shorter bursts and relieving Bashir, still developing his skills, from the pressure of the holding role mastered by Swann. Additionally, it prevented opponents from receiving any reprieve; the long, relentless spells continually tested their resolve while the frontline bowlers rested.
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Throughout the six innings against West Indies, Stokes bowled in five and achieved breakthroughs each time. He appears as fit as ever, maintaining speeds around 85 mph (just ask Zak Crawley, who broke his finger dropping a catch on the final day), and his swing remains potent.
If Anderson had continued, it would have necessitated Woakes stepping back, leaving a lengthy tail, or the two outright quicks rotating for a single spot. Ultimately, England benefitted from the capabilities of all three bowlers, with Wood intimidating batters, Atkinson making a significant impact with his 22 wickets—showing much promise beyond just that haul—and Woakes steadily improving throughout the series. After an early season marked by bereavement, the 35-year-old took 11 wickets at an average of 21 and even contributed with the bat during crucial moments.
McCullum expressed general satisfaction, mentioning that England had discovered “a little bit of the ammunition we are going to need on flat pitches.” While Woakes has had difficulty performing overseas—his bowling average of 21.8 at home jumps by 30 runs when abroad, making him a more dependable player in home conditions—McCullum pointed out the lack of new-ball chances might account for this disparity. “It’s hard to overlook him,” McCullum commented regarding Woakes’s opportunities next winter abroad. “He’s an exceptional cricketer.”
England hopes that with time both Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue, when fit, will compete fiercely for two designated pace slots, or potentially even make it three in the same starting XI. Who knows, perhaps the light will finally shine for Ollie Robinson, or Potts, Pennington, or Sam Cook will vie for the new ball position. Regardless, with the way they dismissed the Richards-Botham Trophy, England now has a clearer picture of their roles and the composition of their post-Anderson attack.
