Spare-part Anderson replaced

JAMES ANDERSON will be rested for the third Test and has admitted to feeling like a ‘bit of a spare part’ during his two Tests in Sri Lanka in which he took just one wicket.

The spin-friendly surfaces, the Kookaburra rather than Dukes ball, the lack of reverse swing and the excellence of England’s spinners all combined to make Anderson rather ineffective with the ball.

And yet the veteran of 145 Test matches still played his part in the series win by helping wicketkeeper Ben Foakes to get to his hundred in Galle and then putting on 101 runs for the 10th wicket across both innings in Pallekele.

He will make way for his old friend and opening partner Stuart Broad for this Test on a pitch that is set to be just as unhelpful for an English seamer.

“It has been a frustrating trip for me really because you want to contribute to the wins. I feel like I have tried my best but it has not really been a series for the seamers,” said the 36-year-old Anderson, left. “I feel like a bit of a spare part but I think that’s just the nature of playing cricket here. “As frustrating as it has been for me personally, it has been brilliant to be a part of such a great series for the team. You don’t want to miss a Test – I never like it – but I understand the reasoning behind it and Stuart will just go out there and enjoy himself.

“One thing that playing out here has really made me look forward to is getting a Dukes back in my hand.”

And that may happen sooner than expected with the West Indies Board deciding to use the swinger’s favourite in England’s upcoming tour in the new year.