James Anderson Misses First Test in Pakistan

James Anderson, England's fast bowling consultant, will miss the start of the team's Test tour in Pakistan due to his participation in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland, with plans to join the squad by the second day of the match. Despite his absence, Anderson continues to support the bowlers through WhatsApp communication. The current bowling lineup is notably inexperienced, with Chris Woakes making his first Test appearance in Asia since 2016, while other bowlers like Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, and Ollie Stone lack overseas Test experience. Notably, Mark Wood is injured and Ollie Robinson is not selected, leaving the team without key players from the previous series against Pakistan in 2022, where they achieved a series whitewash. The first Test is scheduled to begin on October 7 in Multan, and England is looking to rebound from a recent disappointing series against Bangladesh.