BEN STOKES has fired the starting gun on the Ashes countdown by admitting the first step to beating Australia is bold selection.
At face value, today's first Test against West Indies at Lord's will be Jimmy Anderson's testimonial, after England's three wise men decided it was time to put their record-breaking opening bowler out to pasture.
But it also marks a changing of the guard behind the stumps, with 23-year-old Jamie Smith who does not even keep wicket for Surrey replacing Jonny Bairstow, who was axed after winning his 100th cap in India last winter. And Gus Atkinson (far right), another Test debutant at Headquarters, will not be the last pace bowler to roll off the conveyor belt this summer, with Pennington Dillon and Matthew Potts waiting in the wings to replace Anderson.
Stokes admits England's 188-cap wonder is being offered his swansong with only one target in mind a first Ashes win since 2015.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 10, 2024-Ausgabe von Daily Mirror UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 10, 2024-Ausgabe von Daily Mirror UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
LUCING UP FOR ANGE
Under-fire Postecoglou in driving seat for Wembley glory after brilliant Bergvall rocks Slot’s high-fliers
MANUARY SALES
Need to cut wage bill at heart of decision to listen to offers for all first-team United stars
WEST HAM WAS NEVER THE WAY FOR LOPETEGUI
Bizarre choice for a club that wants to play with a certain style of football
SNACK OF THE NET
Sandwich-maker Tonks has a tasty throw and he aims to make a meal of struggling Spurs when they face minnows Tamworth on Sunday
YOUNG'S SON HAS SEAN FEELING OLD
SEAN DYCHE says he will feel all of his 53 years tonight if Ashley Young's teenage son is in Peterborough's squad at Goodison Park.
RYAN'S HALL IN FOR LEEDS
Star says Headingley return is not a swansong
Bargains boss bags £1 billion
Discount chain's founder rakes in bumper payout as its profits soar
BLAME,SET AND MATCH
McEnroe reckons Raducanu's mentality is causing more problems than her injuries
BHA ACTION PLAN
Saturday TV fixtures added to beat the freeze
BHA ACTION PLAN Saturday TV fixtures added to beat the freeze
ITV RACING viewers won't be frozen out on Saturday after the BHA yesterday added fixtures at Ffos Las and Chelmsford City to the weekend racing programme.
