Steve Harmison believes England legends James Anderson and Stuart Broad should both retire after the fifth Ashes Test at the Oval to get a fitting send-off.
England have named an unchanged team for the Ashes finale as they look to avoid a series defeat and stop Australia from securing their first win on these shores since 2001.
Anderson and Broad have spearheaded England’s bowling attack for the best part of two decades, taking 1,289 wickets combined in 348 matches.
‘I really hope the Oval is the last of Jimmy,’ Harmison told OnlineCricketBetting. ‘Not because of anything other than the fact he’s a really good friend of mine and a national treasure so it would break my heart if he had to retire off the back of an injury.
‘I’m not saying Jimmy Anderson should retire on ability but as a friend, I’d love to see him retire at the Oval because I think this country needs to send him off with a massive thank you because of what he’s given to this country.
‘I wouldn’t like to see that against the West Indies, I wouldn’t like to see that against Sri Lanka.
‘Even though England haven’t won the Ashes, Australia have retained them, I’d love to see 2-2 at the end of the Oval, a full house, Jimmy getting the send-off he deserves.
‘It wouldn’t be a decision based on his ability but I think he deserves to go out in the highest competitive cricket game possible and that is against Australia in an Ashes Test match.’
Harmison added: ‘Stuart Broad has proved in this series that he’s still got a lot to give but I’d also want him to do the same from a personal point of view.
‘Not on ability, just looking at the roadmap of where Test cricket goes and what’s coming up for England.
‘They both deserve to finish at the Ashes, and not against the West Indies or Sri Lanka, or potentially with an injury because of their age.
‘I’d love Jimmy to go out this week, and for Stuart as well, go out on a high, instead of limp over the line. I’d hate to see that happen to the two greatest cricketers that we’ve ever had.’
Anderson, who turns 41 on Saturday, retains his place in England’s team for the final Ashes Test despite only taking four wickets in the series.
Writing in a column for the Telegraph ahead of the Ashes finale, Anderson insisted he was not considering retiring.
‘I love playing Test cricket as much as I ever have and this is my favourite period as an England cricketer,’ the veteran said.
‘Just being around this group, the way we play and how we enjoy ourselves on the field. There are no thoughts about retirement.’
England captain Ben Stokes has also defended Anderson ahead of the final Test against Australia, describing him as the ‘greatest fast bowler to play the game’.
‘Although he’s not had the impact he would have liked to in this series, he’s a quality bowler,’ Stokes said.
‘It’s very hard for anyone to sit here and say he’s not. Jimmy’s come under a bit of flak for that but if Joe Root hadn’t scored the runs he would have liked, you wouldn’t be questioning him staying in the team as a batter.
‘James Anderson is the greatest fast bowler to play the game and he’s still looking as good as he was two years ago.’
Anderson and Broad will be joined in England’s pace attack at the Oval by Mark Wood and Chris Woakes, who have both starred since coming in for the third Test at Headingley.
England were 2-0 down by the time they arrived in Leeds but clinched a three-wicket win to keep the series alive before dominating the rain-hit fourth Test at Old Trafford.
The frustrating draw in Manchester means Australia will keep the Ashes regardless of the outcome of the fifth Test.
Australia are yet to confirm their XI for the Oval, though spinner Todd Murphy may come in for all-rounder Cameron Green.
Speaking ahead of the fifth and final match, Australia captain Pat Cummins said: ‘The good thing is it is a really similar group to 2019. This group is really motivated to win the series.
‘We know it wasn’t our best week last week and at the end of the game it was a pat on the back and well done but really it feels like the job is not done.’
MORE : England can take inspiration from Heather Knight’s team for final Ashes showdown
MORE : Ian Bell backs England to beat Australia in fifth Ashes Test to draw series
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