Anderson’s Ashes hanging by a thread

About five years ago I was interviewed for the job of England selector and was asked by the interview panel how I might break the news to James Anderson, then hypothetical, that he’d played his last Test.

I told them that I’d like to see him face-to-face and would just be brutally honest that his time had come and thank him for his distinguished long service. I don’t know Anderson well but he’s always struck me as someone who doesn’t care for sugar-coatings.

Judging from the dismay on my interrogators’ faces I don’t think it was the answer they were looking for but unless Anderson can rediscover his outswinger, it is a conversation Rob Key, managing director of the England mens’ team and its chief selector, will surely need to have quite soon.

Anderson is one of the giants of the game and just 12 shy of an incredible 700 Test wickets. Many will feel he deserves to play until he reaches that milestone. But such sentiments shouldn’t be in the conversation. The team comes first and Anderson should only be in it if he remains a wicket threat, a power much reduced since he misplaced that outswinger.