James Anderson Hopeful Of Partnering Stuart Broad For Series-Decider Against West Indies
Published - 23 Jul 2020, 12:46 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:32 AM
England’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker James Anderson is hopeful of returning to England’s attack for the third and final Test against West Indies to earn his 153rd Test cap on his home ground. The England star said he and his long-time bowling partner Stuart Broad should be paired together to lead the bid for a series win.
England are spoilt for choice ahead of the third Test as the likes of James Anderson, Jofra Archer and Mark Wood hoping to get a chance in the playing eleven. Along with Wood, James Anderson failed to find a spot in the playing eleven for the second Test while Archer missed the game after breaching the team’s coronavirus protocol.
Broad, Sam Curran and Chris Woakes led England’s charge in the second game and helped the hosts to win the game by 113 runs and level the series. And while England might decide against changing the winning combination, James Anderson is hopeful of partnering Broad in the series-decider.
“I presume the best three players will play but it’s going to be a difficult decision for Joe (Root) and Chris (Silverwood) and there will be some disappointed guys,” Anderson told a news conference on Wednesday.
There have been suggestions that James Anderson and Broad will likely not bowl again together but the veteran pacer said he hoped this was not the case. Broad was dropped for the first Test before being recalled for the second one where he picked up six wickets.
“Our record together speaks for itself and I’d really like to think that if we are both fit and England are picking their best bowling attack then we’d both be in that,” he said.
“It’s a good position to be in because it shows we have strength in depth,” he added.
James Anderson further revealed that England’s camp is still dealing with aches and pains after the exertions of the second Test. He, however, said that the stiffness for the bowlers is inevitable and asked his teammates to be smart with their practice in order to be fresh for the final game.
“There is a bit of stiffness with the bowlers but that’s inevitable,” he said.
“It’s about being smart with the practice now and going into Friday really fresh.
“We have a great opportunity to win the series and we want to kick on from last Test’s win. If we keep looking to improve I’m sure we’ll put in another good performance this week,” he added.