After the first Test match at Lord’s against the West Indies, legendary bowler James Anderson announced his retirement from international cricket. As the former fast bowler for South Africa, Dale Steyn, watched his final international bowl, supporters from all over the world paid their respects to the sportsman.
The management of the squad urged Anderson to put up his boots because he didn’t fit into England’s plans for the 2025 Ashes series, thus his retirement wasn’t easy. Up until that point, the seamer had no intention of retiring; instead, he intended to play through the summer and possibly beyond. As he said goodbye to Test cricket and raised a toast on the balcony of Lord’s on his last day of international cricket, the cricket player was overcome with emotion.
Afrasiab Anwar, the Borough Leader, said shortly after his retirement that the pacer will be honoured by having a Burnley street named in his honour. He said that although the plan was always there, they chose to wait because he was involved in international cricket.
“I believe that he was still playing when that delay occurred. We will be able to announce something soon, but it is acknowledged that he has accomplished something and that he has also made Burnley proud,” the BBC cited Anwar as saying.
In the meanwhile, Jack Launer, the head of council recreation, stated that he hoped Burnley Football Club would name a stand in the cricketer’s honour or that another cricket venue would do the same.
He also hoped James Anderson will come back to Burnley to mentor young cricket players.
What a profession. I hope he returns to Burnley and instructs our children in bowling. I hope we christen a cricket pitch stand or a stand at (Burnley Football Club’s) Turf Moor in his honour’, added Launer.
Jamie McGowan, the deputy leader of the Tory party, said that Anderson ought to be immensely proud of all that he has accomplished in his professional life.
Also Read: Twitter Reactions: Ollie Pope shows off his strength as England wins the first game 416
“I just believe that Jimmy Anderson’s accomplishments throughout his career and in sports are something for us to be tremendously proud of. Whether it’s calling Belvedere Road the Jimmy Anderson Way or something similar, I would want to see the ball going on actually coming up with some form of honour for him,” McGowan stated.