Jimmy: There’s no problem with me and Root

Jimmy Anderson has insisted there is no animosity between him and Joe root after england’s record Test wicket-taker was controversially omitted from the tour of the Caribbean earlier this year. But he admitted the decision, made before root quit as Test captain, led him to question his enthusiasm for the game — and left him wondering whether he had done something to upset his team-mates. it followed tensions during the Ashes, when root openly criticised the lengths england had bowled during the second Test at Adelaide. Anderson is hopeful that the new regime of Brendon McCullum and Ben stokes will find room for him in next month’s three-Test series against new Zealand. And he warmed up in pointed fashion by bowling root for four on sunday during the County Championship match between yorkshire and Lancashire. The delivery left only leg stump still standing. ‘We’ve not fallen out or anything,’ Anderson said. ‘We chatted (during the game), and i spoke to him before he announced that he was stepping down. so there’s still a huge amount of respect between the two of us, and no animosity.’

Did he say anything to root after dismissing him? ‘no. i didn’t need to: just pick the two stumps off the ground.’ Anderson, who turns 40 in July, says he briefly questioned whether he wanted to carry on after the West indies omission, but added: ‘i talked with my family, and they saw it as i did — that i feel like i’ve got more to give to the game.’ even so, he admitted he had still not received a meaningful explanation for why he was dropped by england. He said: ‘i felt like i bowled well in Australia, and i guess you do start questioning other things when that happens: is it something i’ve done around the group, or whatever else? i’ve got to try to prove that i’m still good enough to play international cricket. ‘i think i bowl a good length, but if people want me to bowl fuller, i’ll bowl fuller. i find it hard when you’ve got a certain amount of wickets. But obviously i’m open to suggestions if anyone wants to help.’ Anderson has started the season well for Lancashire, picking up 11 division one wickets at 19 apiece. And he said he would happily carry on bowling for his county in the unlikely event england decided his Test career was over. But it seems inconceivable that stokes will need convincing of his Test credentials — and the feeling is mutual. ‘He’s a natural leader and the lads all look up to him,’ said Anderson. ‘He’s the hardest trainer and sets the example of how to be an international cricketer.’ meanwhile, Anderson confirmed suspicions that this season’s batch of dukes balls has not been up to scratch. ‘There’s something wrong with the balls,’ he said. ‘There’s rumours something’s going to change for the next round of county matches, so let’s just hope the next batch is a good one.’

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