Veteran attack leader currently spearheading Surrey’s title defence says new ‘X-factor’ quartet will try to blow England away at Lord’s
: Alex Davidson/Getty Images for Surrey CCC
Kemar Roach bowled Surrey to victory over Warwickshire then warned England that his “X-factor” West Indies attack will be out to “ruin” James Anderson’s Test swansong at Lord’s in July.
Surrey took just 39 minutes on the final day to knock off the remaining 68 runs they required to secure a nine-wicket win that leaves them top of the table by 21 points after five games. Roach has played a key role in the county’s back-to-back titles and, despite a quiet start to the season, came to the party with eight wickets in this match, including six for 44 in the second innings.
The 35-year-old has two more games in his third stint with Surrey, before his attention will turn to his fourth Test tour of England. The first game of that series, at Lord’s starting on July 10, will be Anderson’s last, after he announced his retirement over the weekend.
Roach paid tribute to Anderson, whom he has come up against 12 times in Test cricket since they first met in 2012, but said with a smile that the West Indies would be out to spoil the party.
“He’s a great fast bowler, probably one of the greatest,” he said. “I’m sad to see him go but we all know you can’t play forever. But he’s done fantastically for England and he deserves whatever he gets. That first Test match against us… hopefully we ruin it! He’s highly respected, he’s always given me great advice as well. He will go down as one of the greatest to ever do it. I wish him all the best after that Test match, and hopefully he enjoys whatever comes next!”
: Martin Rickett/Pool via AP
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