Playing for the first time since early January after being controversially omitted from the England squad for the Test series in the West Indies in March, James Anderson is 0-30 in a 16-season economic stint against Gloucestershire at Emirates Old Trafford.
James Anderson went wicketless on day one of Lancashire’s County Championship game at home to Gloucestershire
James Anderson made a low-key return to action when he bowled 16 overs without a wicket for Lancashire on the first day of their County Championship clash at home to Gloucestershire.
Anderson, playing for the first time since early January after being controversially omitted from England’s squad for the Test series in the West Indies in March, posted 0-30 figures in a budget spell at the Emirates Old Trafford.
The 39-year-old, England’s all-time wicket-test leader with 640 scalps in 169 matches, said in February that he was “praying” his international career was not over and that he still had “a lot to look forward to.” to offer”. and “the hunger and passion to play.”
Anderson was joined on the Lancashire side by teammate Saqib Mahmood, who was one of the rare bright spots of England’s 1-0 series defeat at the West Indies as he took six wickets in two games and scored the best career score of 49 ranked No. 11.
Mahmood (2-44) took two wickets on Thursday, dismissing Marcus Harris for 67 and Gloucestershire captain Graeme van Buuren for four.
However, it was Pakistani closer Hasan Ali who was the star of the show, claiming 6-47 as the visitors were eliminated by 252 after choosing to bat first in Manchester. Lancashire closed the day with 11-1 in their first innings, with George Balderson running for five at a time.
Stuart Broad, who, like Anderson, was left out of the West Indies tour, was available for Nottinghamshire’s clash at Durham but delayed his return until next week’s home game with Worcestershire at Trent Bridge.
Ollie Robinson (illness) and Chris Woakes (injury) will sit out for Sussex and Warwickshire respectively this week, while Durham’s Mark Wood remains sidelined after undergoing elbow surgery following a breakdown during the first Test in the Caribbean on last month.
England’s first test of the summer at home is against New Zealand at Lord’s from June 2, with new men’s cricket general manager Rob Key planning that after being appointed over the Easter weekend.
England must select a new trial captain following Joe Root’s decision to step down after four years in charge (Ben Stokes is the heavy favorite for the job) and also a head coach.
Key could split coaching roles between red-ball and white-ball cricket as he ponders how to replace Chris Silverwood, who left following England’s 4-0 thrashing of the Ashes.
