PAK vs ENG 2024: Brendon McCullum defends James Anderson for prioritizing golf over coaching job

After James Anderson’s absence from England’s whole preparation for their Test series against Pakistan, England head coach Brendon McCullum has come up to defend the player. He was supposed to be a bowling consultant for a golf tournament, but he was absent.

It is noteworthy that James Anderson is scheduled to come following the conclusion of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, and that England’s series against Pakistan commenced on October 7.

When questioned about his absence, McCullum defended Anderson, saying that the team’s lack of success speaks highly of his importance as a coach and that he was shocked to learn that Anderson had qualified for the golf tournament.

“His golf has been awful, so I believed he would miss the cut. I didn’t think he would make the cut. Wide World of Sports reported McCullum as saying, “Two months ago you guys were saying he didn’t deserve to be a coach just yet, and now we miss him and I think that’s great affirmation of how good an impact Jimmy Anderson has made in the short period of time in his transition from player to coach.”

When we obtain what we can, we’ll take it: Brendon McCullum

McCullum also disclosed that Anderson’s decision to skip the golf tournament preparations was a group decision rather than an individual one. He also discussed the significant shift that occurred when the former pacer switched from being a player to a coach.

“A joint choice—Jammy recently joined the coaching field and underwent a significant shift from his roughly 20-year career to this new one. He’s not on a full-time deal; he’s on as a bowling consultant as well, and we’ll take what we can get when we get it, McCullum stated.

Also Read: PAK vs ENG 2024: Brendon McCullum expects ‘leader of the attack’ Chris Woakes to step up on foreign soil

“These guys still have lives to live, and we understand that the rigors and schedule of international cricket necessitate the ability to have fun outside of the game.” There’s some mystery about it since he’s playing golf, but I doubt anyone would have an issue with it if he was at home with his family,” he continued.