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England's bowling consultant James Anderson joined the team on Day 2 of the ongoing first Test against Pakistan in Multan. The 42-year-old was reportedly heavily criticized for his absence during England's pre-series preparations.
Anderson was playing a professional golf tournament in Scotland from October 3 to 6, with the first Test against Pakistan starting on October 7. The legendary pacer retired after the first Test of the home series against the West Indies in July and was instantly appointed England's bowling consultant.
Head coach Brendon McCullum recently defended Anderson from the criticism and said as quoted by India Today:
"He’ll be here on day two or whenever it is and I don’t have any concerns over it. It’s a combined decision amongst everyone. He’s on a bowling consultant as well, he’s not on a full-time contract and we’ll take what we can get when we can get it. I think if he was at home with his family I’d question whether anyone would have any problems with it. But because he’s playing golf there’s some uncertainty around it."
The criticisms grew louder after Pakistan shredded the England attack on Day 1 of the first Test. The hosts won a crucial toss and batted first, posting 328/4 at stumps on the opening day, thanks to centuries from skipper Shan Masood and opener Abdullah Shafique.
Pakistan have continued adding to England's misery on the ongoing second day, racing to 520/8 after 140 overs in just over five sessions.
James Anderson played a key role in England's whitewash of Pakistan in 2022 tour
![Anderson was at his relentless best in his lone Pakistan Test tour in 2022 [Credit: Getty]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/10/e705c-17283832327613-1920.jpg)
James Anderson was a vital cog in England's bowling attack during their 3-0 whitewash of Pakistan in their previous tour in 2022.
The champion pacer played the first two Tests and picked up eight wickets at an excellent average of 18.50 and an economy of 2.20. With the hosts chasing 343 in the first Test in Rawalpindi, Anderson produced a magnificent spell of 4/36 in 12 overs to help England pull off a 74-run win.
He was at his miserly best in the second Test in Multan also with a wicket in the first innings and two in the second.
The two Tests were Anderson's only two red-ball games for England in Pakistan in his two-decade-long Test career.
