'Not Only The Wickets but His Longevity as Well': Ben Stokes Lauds James Anderson as 'Role Model for Young Pacers'

As James Anderson is coming closer to reaching the landmark milestone of 700 Test wickets, England skipper Ben Stokes believes that the veteran should be considered a role model for the younger crop of pacers coming up.

Speaking ahead of the fourth Test at Ranchi, Stokes has praised the veteran pacer’s ability to keep going at this age and continue picking up wickets regularly.

“If you’re a young fast bowler, Jimmy Anderson is the one person who you want as your role model. Not only the amount of wickets he’s got but the fact that he can keep going at his age,” said the England captain.

Anderson has had his fair share of challenges in his long career, but he has overcome these hurdles by coming up with solutions and continuing to perform at the highest level for England’s Test team. Stokes also added to this by praising his ability to keep finding new ways to improve his game especially when his selection was questioned by many two years ago.

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“Especially over the last two years, he’s also introduced new ways of operating. We’ve seen him commit to bowling bouncers, we’ve seen him bowl around the wickets to right-handers, use the skills when the conditions need that,” Stokes added.

As the experienced pacer is marching closer towards an iconic milestone, the captain believes that it is not something that will be on his mind and will be focused on performing on the pitch and helping his side in any way possible.

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“Even saying approaching 700 wickets as a fast bowler is incredible but I don’t think that’ll be at the top of his mind this week just because of where we are in the series,” Stokes concluded.

England are in dire need of a win and will look to go all guns blazing in Ranchi with the series hanging in the balance. The touring side will aim for a strong start and has already named their playing eleven for the fourth Test. Mark Wood and Rehan Ahmed have given way for the pair of Ollie Robinson and Shoaib Bashir in the side.

England Playing XI for 4th Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (C), Ben Foakes, Tom Hartley, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson, Shoaib Bashir.