West Indies pace bowler Jayden Seales has opened up about the fact that the legendary James Anderson was not given a guard of honour in his last international cricket match. Jayden Seales stated that West Indies had planned to give James Anderson a guard of honour but the tribute was ruined due to their celebration.
James Anderson will retire after the first Test match between England and West Indies at Lord’s Cricket Ground. The 42-year-old came out to bat in England’s first innings on Thursday, July 11. The left-handed batsman probably made his last appearance as a batsman in international cricket as England closed in on victory.
Traditionally, the fielding team forms a guard of honour for a prominent player from the opposing team when he comes out to bat for the last time in a Test match. However, the West Indies team missed this opportunity for James Anderson due to their exuberant celebrations after Shoaib Bashir’s run-out.
We were gonna give him a guard of honor – Jayden Seales
After the second day, Jayden Seales said they had discussed giving a guard of honour to James Anderson in his final Test. Seales claimed that Shoaib Bashir’s exit sparked such extensive celebrations. He added that Jason Holder met Anderson to greet him.
“We talked about it before he came out to bat, that we would do a corridor of honour for him. Obviously the run took us all the way to Swiss Cottage so it was quite difficult to do the corridor of honour for the big man. Luckily Jason caught up with him,” Seales said during the press conference after Day 2.
West Indies were struggling to dispatch England’s bottom-of-the-table side. Debutant Jamie Smith hit a Seales delivery into the deep end and Mikyle Louis played a direct hit to knock Bashir out. The West Indies players were celebrating when Anderson came on to the field for what was likely to be his final appearance as a batsman.
That’s the only regret I have about my posts – Jamie Smith
Jamie Smith expressed his disappointment at his dismissal, which ended England’s innings. He regretted not giving James Anderson the chance to face a left-handed bowler. Smith said he was honoured by the opportunity to play alongside Anderson in his debut match.
“I think the biggest missed opportunity was not seeing Jimmy take on one of their left-arm bowlers. That’s the only regret I have about my innings. I’m a bit disappointed I couldn’t hit one more six to allow him his moment. It’s been an honour to play alongside him in my first match. Everyone will miss him when he goes. If we’re in a position where he has to bat in the second innings, I’d be a bit worried, so hopefully he can get wickets with the ball instead,” Smith said at the end of the day.
Anderson did not bat in his final match and remained in the non-batsman’s side. England were bowled out for 371 runs and had taken a significant lead of 250 runs in the first innings. By the end of the second day, the West Indies were in trouble with a record of 79-6.
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