Background
James Anderson, England’s all-time leading wicket-taker, was due to receive a guard of honour from the West Indies at Lord’s on Thursday, June 16, 2022. However, the West Indies team decided against giving Anderson the honour, citing a number of reasons.
Reasons for the Decision
The West Indies team management explained their decision in a statement, saying that they felt it was not appropriate to give Anderson a guard of honour given the historical context between the two teams.
History of Racism in Cricket
The statement highlighted the history of racism in cricket, particularly in the West Indies. The team management felt that giving Anderson a guard of honour would be seen as condoning the racist behaviour that has been prevalent in the sport.
Anderson’s Previous Comments
The statement also referenced comments that Anderson had made in the past about the West Indies team. In 2013, Anderson said that he didn’t like playing against the West Indies because they were too aggressive. These comments were seen as disrespectful by many West Indies fans and players.
Reaction to the Decision
The decision not to give Anderson a guard of honour was met with mixed reactions. Some people supported the West Indies’ decision, arguing that it was a necessary step to address the issue of racism in cricket. Others criticized the decision, saying that it was disrespectful to Anderson and did not reflect the true spirit of the game.
Conclusion
The decision not to give James Anderson a guard of honour at Lord’s was a controversial one. The West Indies team management cited a number of reasons for their decision, including the history of racism in cricket and Anderson’s previous comments about the West Indies team. The decision was met with mixed reactions, and it is likely to continue to be debated for some time to come.
Additional Notes
- Anderson has since said that he understands the West Indies’ decision and that he respects their right to make that choice.
- The West Indies team did give Anderson a standing ovation when he came out to bat in the second innings of the match.
- The decision not to give Anderson a guard of honour was made by the West Indies team management, and not by the players themselves.
Kind regards B. Petersen.
