James Anderson has insisted he is still excited about playing for England this season, even if matches are played behind closed doors.
England cricketers are set to return to limited individual training next week, with bowlers such as Anderson leading the way, amid assurances that health protocols will make their sessions less risky than going to a supermarket. The England and Wales Cricket Board hope they can kickstart a season delayed by the coronavirus by rescheduling for July a three-Test series at home to the West Indies that was meant to take place in June. But officials have conceded the only way international matches can be staged in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic is by barring spectators from what will be ‘biosecure’ grounds.
Anderson though has lost none of his enthusiasm when it comes to the prospect of adding to his England record tally of 584 Test wickets. “It’s exciting in a way we’re actually talking about the possibility of playing cricket this summer,” paceman Anderson said yesterday in an Instagram Live with longstanding new-ball colleague Stuart Broad. “I think as long as everything is place with safety concerns then I’ll be pretty comfortable playing. We’ve been a part of the England set up for a long time now. We’ve got some great people working on every possibility and outcome from this summer and going forwards.”
As for playing in matches with no spectators, Anderson reckoned his experienced of taking part in some sparsely attended county matches for Lancashire would stand him in good stead. ♦
