"Did you really have to do that?"- Ben Stokes opens up on text message to James Anderson after 7-wicket haul for Lancashire

England's Test captain Ben Stokes opened up on a funny text exchange with veteran pacer James Anderson after the latter's incredible performance for Lancashire ahead of his final Test. Anderson picked up sensational figures of 7/35 against Nottinghamshire in the County Championship. He is set to play his final Test match against West Indies at Lord's on July 10.

Stokes claimed that Anderson was by no means past his best and that he was still good enough to play Test cricket. However, he explained how Anderson was co-operative with the plan of transition that Stokes, coach Brendon McCullum and Director of Cricket Robert Key had laid out.

Speaking to the reporters ahead of the Lord's Test, here's what Ben Stokes had to say about James Anderson:

"There's no doubt that Jimmy was going to do well. I am good mates with Jimmy. I did text him and say, 'Did you really have to do that?' and his reply was 'Sorry mate' (smiles). There is no doubt that he is an amazing bowler and he can still go out there and play Test cricket. He is good enough. But when we spoke with Jimmy, we laid it out and gave him proper reasons and he really understood it."

Stokes understands that it would have been a very tough conversation for someone of the stature of Anderson to listen to and accept. He was grateful that the legendary pacer gracefully accepted to call time on his Test career.

---

Ben Stokes on James Anderson's future role with England

After the first Test, James Anderson is likely to remain a part of the England dressing room as a bowling consultant. Ben Stokes claimed that the legendary pacer was excited to get that opportunity.

On this, Stokes asserted:

"The role in which we sort of see him falling into later this week which is about seeing him in the dressing room and helping all the bowlers, he is very very excited by it as well. This week is all about Jimmy and rightly so."

Stokes also shed light on the importance of England planning for the 2025/26 Ashes Down Under. They would want to give some young exciting pacers the Test match experience needed to get them ready for the big test in about 18 months' time.