Anderson frustrated by England captaincy snub
JAMES ANDERSON believes he should have been a contender for the England Test captaincy when Alastair Cook quit. Joe Root was effectively in a one-man field before being appointed six weeks ago, although the ECB tried to show due process by interviewing Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad as well. While Anderson, England’s most prolific Test bowler with 467 wickets, accepts Root was the logical choice, the 34-year-old added: ‘It would have been nice to be considered for it. Whether I would have taken it, I’m not sure. I would have seriously thought about it. But I don’t know how long I’ll be able to keep going and in the grander scheme it makes sense for a younger guy to do it.’ Anderson’s target in the short term is to prove his fitness after 10 months of shoulder trouble so he can share the new ball with Broad under Root’s captaincy against South Africa this July. ‘For a young captain to have experienced guys like that would be really helpful to him and his growth into that role,’ said Anderson. ‘I see myself as a leader within the group.’ England have plotted a cautious return to first-class cricket for their spearhead, who will face Essex and Somerset this month but sit out the fixture at Surrey. Anderson said: ‘It’s a case of not doing too much too soon. The match against Cambridge University (starting tomorrow) will be a chance to get more overs under my belt.’