James Anderson to finally arrive in Pakistan after Scottish golf trip

‘I thought he would miss the cut’: McCullum defends England decision over bowling coach’s belated arrival

England’s fast-bowling consultant James Anderson will arrive in Pakistan on Tuesday after a golf trip to Scotland following a bruising start to the tour for his charges.
On Sunday, head coach Brendon McCullum defended the mutually-agreed delayed arrival of Anderson, who retired from Test cricket this summer and immediately slipped into the role of fast-bowling consultant.
Anderson is not technically retired from first-class cricket but did not play for Lancashire after his final Test at Lord’s in July, instead seeing out the summer in England’s backroom team, a role he will continue on the winter tours of Pakistan and New Zealand.
But rather than travelling with the squad to Pakistan last Tuesday, his departure was delayed until Monday morning by an appearance in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship pro-am golf event in St Andrews.
England are fielding a green attack in the first Test, with Chris Woakes playing his first Test in Asia since 2016, Gus Atkinson playing away from home for the first time, and Brydon Carse making his debut.
None have played in Pakistan before, with total turnover of the pace attack since the tour in 2022, when Anderson’s two Tests brought eight wickets at an average of 18.5 and, crucially, an economy of 2.2. 
Combining well with the dropped Ollie Robinson and injured Mark Wood, Anderson helped England to a 3-0 series win. In addition, England captain Ben Stokes, a fine exponent of reverse swing, is injured.
Defending England’s decision, McCullum said Anderson had been communicating with his bowlers remotely.
“I thought he would miss the cut, his golf’s been poor! I didn’t anticipate he’d be able to make the cut,” joked McCullum in an interview with Sky Sports. 
“Two months ago you guys were saying he didn’t deserve to be the coach yet, and now it’s that we are missing him. I think that’s great affirmation of the impact Jimmy Anderson has made in the short period of time between his transition from player to coach.
“We live in a world where you can still communicate without being face-to-face. Maybe not [quite as good as being together] but he will be [there] on day two or whatever it is. I don’t have any concerns over it.
“It’s a combined decision amongst everyone. Jimmy has just taken to the coaching world. He’s made a huge transition from a 20-year career into this new role. He’s on as a bowling consultant, he’s not on a full-time contract, and we will take what we can get when we can get it. 
“These guys have to live their lives. The challenges and demands of international cricket, and the calendar, mean you have to enjoy yourself as well. If he was at home with his family, I question if anyone would have any problem with it. Because he’s playing golf, there’s some uncertainty around it.”