Ashes 2021-22: England name 12-player squad for Adelaide Test, James Anderson included

England will have a point to prove as they take on Australia in the second Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval. The encounter gets underway on Thursday (December 16) and the Three Lions would aim to settle the scores, having lost the opening clash by nine wickets. On the eve of the game, England announced their 12-man squad which featured veteran pacer James Anderson.

Having shockingly left out of the Brisbane Test, the 39-year-old would be raring to take the field in order to earn his side redemption. Anderson’s partner-in-crime Stuart Broad, who was also overlooked for the first Test, is also a part of the 12-man squad and it would be interesting to see if he’ll get a chance in Adelaide or not. Notably, Broad would make his 150th Test appearance if he’s selected in the second Test.

I came here wanting to be available for five Tests: James Anderson

Meanwhile, Anderson said he would like to play all the remaining four Tests. “I came here wanting to be available for five (Tests) and that doesn’t change now, I want to be available for the next four. I think with the gaps between the next tests it might be a little easier to rest in between and make sure everyone is fresh, but it’s something out of my control,” Anderson was quoted as saying by New Zealand Times.

While Anderson admitted being disappointed after not featuring in the first Test, the veteran also said he’s used to warming the benches in the last few years. “All I can do is try to prepare the best I can and stay in shape and the last few years I have certainly been a little more managed, missing a weird game to try and stay charge for a long streak. So that’s something I’ve gotten used to, I guess, over the last few years,” added Anderson.

Meanwhile, Mark Wood has been dropped from the second Test and it would be interesting to see who’ll come in his place.  The probability of Anderson and Broad playing together is still on the lower side.

England 12-Men’s Squad for second Ashes Test: Joe Root (C), James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Haseeb Hameed, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes.