England’s record wicket-taker was left out of the West Indies series last month, along with his long-term opening partner Stuart Broad, after their 4-0 loss to the Ashes with caretaker director of cricket Andrew Strauss suggesting that it was an opportunity for the team to develop.
James Anderson was omitted from the England squad for their tour of the West Indies.
James Anderson is still struggling to make sense of his omission from the Test side and says he has had no communication with the England camp.
England’s record wicket-taker was left out of the West Indies series last month, along with his long-term opening partner Stuart Broad, after their 4-0 loss to the Ashes, and interim director of cricket Andrew Strauss. he suggested that it was an opportunity for the team to develop. .
Broad revealed after the decision that the pair, who have a combined 1,177 trial plots between them, had only received a five-minute phone call from Strauss to explain the decision.
Anderson, 39, is preparing to start the new season with Lancashire but says he still can’t wrap his head around his England axe.
“I stopped trying to make sense of it and just put it aside,” Anderson said.
“It was completely out of my control. I’ve got to focus on what I can control and that’s bowling to the best of my ability. First of all, that’s here in the next couple of months, trying to take as many wickets as I can.” and see what happens from there.
“Something like this, to me, is a big deal because it kind of came out of nowhere. I still feel like I’m bowling well.”
“I was in the top 10 of the world rankings, so I feel like I’m doing a good job for the team. I feel like I have a lot to offer, not only on the pitch but also off it. I’ve really enjoyed working with the other players from bowling that are coming.
“After an Ashes loss, everything comes under scrutiny. There’s a lot going on, people losing their jobs and stuff. I would have loved to sit down, face to face, but obviously that’s not always possible in these situations.”
“I would have liked more than a five-minute phone call, but then again, that’s not always possible.
“It’s tough because there’s no one in those positions yet, there’s an interim director of cricket and an interim head coach. With things up in the air like that, I hope to hear something once those positions are filled.”
Asked if he had heard anything of the England setup, Anderson replied: “No.”
England captain Joe Root suggested after the series loss to the West Indies that the team had made “big improvements” in attitude.
Anderson dismissed suggestions that he was difficult to captain and doesn’t think there was a problem during the Ashes.
When asked what he thought of Root’s comments, Anderson said, “I don’t know. I didn’t hear that. I’m not sure.”
“If that’s the case, then… I don’t know. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens in the summer.”
“I’ve done what I’ve done for quite a long period of time, I feel like I know what I’m doing. I don’t think I’m going to be extremely stubborn. I’ll take advice and feedback from people.”
“You’d have to ask Joe what he means by that.”
Despite having 640 Test wickets under his belt, Anderson finds himself in the strange position of having to make a point with his County Championship performances to regain his place in England.
The Lancashire closer admits he feels he has a point to prove, adding: “I guess so. For me, if I think about how I build a Test series, I want to be in the best possible shape going into that series.” .
“For me the best way to do it is by performing for Lancashire, trying to win cricket games. That’s been my mindset forever.
“Hopefully those performances lead to a call-up and if not, at least we get a good start to the season.
“If England’s call doesn’t come through, I’ll still be playing here this season. I’ve never looked too far ahead in my career. It’s always game by game, series by series, season by season.”
