Labuschagne: "England can manage without Anderson & Broad"

In the lead-up to the Ashes series in 2019, Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne thinks England can manage without the experience of seamers Stuart Board and James Anderson.

Broad, 37, resigned from his England duties against Australia at the Oval last summer, and Anderson, 41, has stated that the first Test against the West Indies at Lord's on July 10 will be his last.

Ben Stokes, the captain, and Brendon McCullum, the coach, will therefore have lost 354 matches and over 1,300 wickets combined.

“I think one thing for English cricket is you've got some really quality young bowlers coming through and that's really exciting,” said Labuschagne. “I mean the likes of [Matthew] Potts, [Josh] Tongue, Cookie [Sam Cook] from Essex, Ollie [Robinson], there's some good talent and it will be nice to see English bowlers develop over the next few years. I think the question that’s always on people's mind is durability and to have the likes of Anderson and Broad just be there, year in year out, bodies always good, getting through Test matches, that’s always the next step. I think the skills and ability are there, but it’s a different thing. Jimmy's almost played 200 Test matches, so to have that is very special."

The 29-year-old Labuschagne was quick to acknowledge the "phenomenal" contribution that Anderson has made to cricket after learning of his probable retirement.

“Jimmy’s a phenomenal bowler and still is - his skill, his understanding of conditions,” added Labuschagne. “You just look at when England went to India and his ability to navigate those conditions and be so effective, and be able to create opportunities. Even though over the years he has dropped a bit of pace, his skills are just immaculate, so it’s going to be sad to see the end for Jimmy because I think he has added so much to the game.”

The Glamorgan batter also praised Anderson's "durability", adding that what he has achieved in his career is "unheard of".