Jimmy excited over plans for return of Tests
JIMMY Anderson is excited about the prospect of playing Test cricket this summer, even if the lack of atmosphere might make it seem more like a County Championship game.
England’s leading Test wickettaker will - along with some of his fellow bowlers - return to individual training this week having been given a reassurance that the safety protocols taken should make the sessions less risky than a trip to the supermarket.
Bowlers will be the first to start training, with sessions expected to begin from Wednesday, and the ECB hopes to host a Test series against the West Indies behind closed doors this summer.
Anderson is confident the ECB will ensure the safety protocols are followed, which could give him the chance to add to his haul of 584 Test scalps in July.
“It’s exciting in a way we’re actually talking about the possibility of playing cricket this summer,” Anderson said.
“There are concerns but there’s no way we will play without those concerns being talked about.
“I think as long as everything is in 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 long as everything is ironed out then I’ll be quite excited about playing.”
Should the Test series - most likely at just two grounds in the Ageas Bowl and Emirates Old Trafford - go ahead it will be without crowds, leaving the players with a different problem to overcome but one they are used to in the county game.
Anderson said: “It’s quite easy to play in front of a big crowd because of the intensity, you have to be on top of your game.
“If there’s no people there you have to try and find your own energy and intensity from somewhere.
“To be honest it will be pretty similar to county cricket!”