England bowling coach James Anderson is participating in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, a pro-am golf tournament in Scotland. As a result, he missed the entirety of England’s pre-series preparation for the three Test matches in Pakistan, and will not arrive in the country before October 8, the second day of the first Test match.

However, he has been in regular contact with England’s seamers. The attack bears an inexperienced look following the retirement of Stuart Broad and Anderson himself.

England head coach Brendon McCullum, however, defended Anderson’s delay. Posed with the question by Michael Atherton of Sky Sports, he said: “Two months ago, you guys were saying he didn’t deserve to be the coach. Now we are missing him. That’s affirmation of how good an impact Jimmy Anderson has made in the short period of time [during] his transition from player to coach.”

McCullum also reminded that “We live in a world where you can still communicate without being face to face” – a concept Atherton called “coaching by WhatsApp”.

However, McCullum emphasised that “It’s a combined decision amongst everyone,” reminding that “he [Anderson] has made a huge transition from a 20-odd-year career into his new role and “he is on as a bowling consultant as well, it is not a full-time role.”

Speaking on how the sport and its demand have changed, McCullum added: “The challenges and demands of the international cricket calendar mean you need to get out and enjoy yourself as well. If he were at home with his family, I question whether anyone would have problems with it.”

Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat in the first Test, at Multan. Gus Atkinson got Saim Ayub (4) early, but at the time of writing, the hosts were 122-1 at lunch, with Abdullah Shafique (53) and captain Shan Masood (61) at the crease.

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