"Inclusivity, my arse" - David Lloyd slams England for 'forcing' James Anderson into retirement

David Lloyd has slammed the England team for what he feels was "forcing" James Anderson into retirement. The former English cricketer cheekily compared it with his situation of not getting commentary work, saying that in this "era of inclusivity", people are being stopped from work because of their age.

Anderson retired after the conclusion of the first Test against the West Indies on Friday, July 12, after a career spanning over two decades and including a record 704 Test wickets. The legendary pacer reportedly held talks with head coach Brendon McCullum who informed him of the team's plans to build fresh towards the Ashes in Australia later this year.

Anderson continued to maintain he was as fit as ever even at 41 but acknowledged that the team's decision would be final.

"So, it’s farewell to one of the greatest," Lloyd wrote in the Daily Mail. "The sad thing about Jimmy Anderson’s departure is that he’s bowling as well as ever. Accuracy, pace, stamina - he’s shown all those qualities and he’s still taking wickets. They say they are moving him on with next year’s Ashes in mind. I say, pick your best team. He was forced out because of his age. In this era of inclusivity, it takes the biscuit that someone has been stopped for that reason. Reader, let me tell you: I know the feeling. Inclusivity, my arse."

Lloyd also said that as England look for a replacement for the veteran for the second Test, Gus Atkinson might be left out despite his 12-wicket haul in the previous game because of his injury concerns over the years.

"Share the game's wealth" - David Lloyd to the ICC

On West Indies' defeat within three days of the Test, Lloyd said people shouldn't "decry" the visitors who are doing their best, nor criticize England because they are playing what's in front of them.

"My issue is with the International Cricket Council," he added in his column. "Come on, share the game’s wealth. International cricket should be contested by equals, but the problem now is some are more equal than others. I’d ask the big three countries to consider how they’d feel if the shoe was on the other foot."

"West Indies have given us some of the greatest players of all time, but the financial landscape has changed dramatically and they are indisputably one of the have nots. I implore India, England and Australia: do the decent thing and reconsider revenue distribution," Lloyd continued.

The second England-West Indies Test will begin at Trent Bridge on Thursday, July 18.