Anderson not just making up numbers
ALASTAIR COOK is hoping James Anderson can lead England’s attack again as early as the second Test against India in Vizag.
Cook admits it is “certainly not ideal” to ask Anderson to take the new ball in Test cricket without any match practice for three months since injury intervened after England’s drawn series against Pakistan in mid-August.
But, as the captain confirmed plans for England’s all-time leading wicket-taker to join his team-mates this week, having continued his recovery from a stress fracture of the shoulder in his bowling arm, he expressed confidence that if anyone can make an immediate return to the highest level then it is Anderson.
The 34-year-old is expected to arrive in Rajkot on Tuesday, 24 hours before the start of the First Test – in which he will not be involved – leaving himself eight days to demonstrate his wellbeing in nets and fitness drills.
Anderson has already done plenty of that at Loughborough, convincing England’s medical staff he was ready to be added to the squad, but hopes of arranging match practice in India floundered on security reservations about him travelling alone.
Cook wants to see evidence first-hand that Anderson will be up to speed if needed for the second Test.
“You have to see it for your own eyes,” he said. “But just chatting to him on Friday and a couple of days before, the second Test is a good possibility.”
Anderson’s presence alone is a morale boost for England as they seek to prove their doubters wrong away to the world’s number one team, after last weekend losing a Test to Bangladesh for the first time.
Cook added: “He’s worked incredibly hard to get back. He needs to come out here and acclimatise and get some overs in the nets – which is the best preparation we’ve got for him. We haven’t got any more we can do.”
Anderson, despite his relative advancing years, is noted as one of English cricket’s most natural athletes – and Cook is hoping that will help.
“It’s certainly not ideal – but if there’s one person who could do it, it’s Jimmy,” he said. “He’s well aware of that challenge. He’s up for this.
“He’s not just coming here to make up the numbers. That’s great for us.”