'Stuart Broad and I were hoping our careers weren't over' - James Anderson keen to return under new Test skipper Ben Stokes
Stokes batted for Anderson and Broad's inclusion after taking over the reins of the Test side.
Veteran England pacer James Anderson is keen to operate under new Test skipper Ben Stokes after being controversially dropped from the squad. Anderson, alongside Stuart Broad, wasn’t picked for England’s three-match Test tour of West Indies last month. While many reckoned the selectors have moved on from the duo, Stokes batted for their inclusion after taking over the reins of the side.
Rob Key, the newly appointed managing director of the England Cricket Board, recently confirmed that both Anderson and Broad are keen to make a comeback and are available for selection. Notably, Anderson and Broad are England’s top two highest wicket-takers for England in Tests, sharing 1,177 wickets between them. The duo has certainly aged like fine wine and has done well in their recent assignments as well.
We’ve got to put in some performances here: James Anderson
Hence, they would be raring to take the red cherry in hand again. “Stuart and I were hoping our careers weren’t over. So it’s nice to hear there’s a chance. It still means we’ve got to put in some performances here with our counties to prove that we’re playing well enough to get in that final 11,” Anderson told the BBC.
“Because of the situation and not having people in these roles, you’re just so unsure of what’s going to happen. So now having that clarity is really nice,” he added. Meanwhile, Stokes came into power as Joe Root decided to step down from the role amid England’s horror run in the longest format lately. The Three Lions have won just one of their last 17 Tests and there are several loopholes in the side.
Hence, the star all-rounder will have a job in hand. His first assignment as the full-time skipper will be a three-match home series in June against New Zealand. The series is set to mark Anderson and Broad’s return to the national team and the duo will have a point to prove. Meanwhile, Root will continue to serve the national team as a pure batter.
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