James Anderson admits that he could be forced to sit out a few Test matches against India
James Anderson, England’s pace spearhead in the longest format of the game, says that he could be forced to sit out of one or two Test matches when he tours India in 2017 considering the physical exertion he is likely to encounter with as many as five Tests scheduled.
Anderson, 34, has fond memories of the Indian subcontinent as it was his performance on the unhelpful pitches during England’s tour of India during the 2005-06 that first helped establish himself as a regular in the England Test setup.
While Anderson has been overlooked in the limited-overs formats since the 2015 World Cup, the right arm fast bowler feels that he could still be forced to miss a few matches in the upcoming tours to Bangladesh and India as he attempts to manage his body through the rigours of international cricket.
“It's a tough one because as a player if you're fit you want to play, simple as that, no matter what the format you're desperate to play," Anderson said. "But there may well come a time when it will get managed. At 34 I probably have to manage myself, be managed, quite well. You want, if possible, to play every Test but India is going to be five back to back and that's a huge ask for any bowler.”
Elaborating more on the plans of the English team management on how best to utilise his services, Anderson revealed that a lot of discussion will go in to the matter as to decide which matches to sit out of as Alastair Cook’s side attempt to repeat the success of their tour to India in 2013 where they managed to win the four-match Test series 2-1.
"We're in constant discussion with the captain, coach and medical staff about the best scenario. We've got good backroom staff who are very switched on and it will be managed well,” Anderson said. "You take it game by game you can't say now 'I'll miss the second Test of five', because you might bowl 15 overs in the first game. So you be a bit sensible and there will probably come a point where we try to look and maybe I've got to sit out."
Anderson expects the England pace attack to be just as impressive in his absence with the emergence of all-rounder fast bowlers like Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes helping the side achieve the correct team balance which would be a very crucial factor in the dry subcontinent pitches where the English side would be expected to field at least two spinners in the playing eleven.
"We're fortunate now, with Stokesy (Ben Stokes) and Mo( Moeen Ali), it looks after the seamers. That's a real bonus for us because it has been difficult in India when we've had just two seamers and two spinners,” he said. "But there's a danger to go over there and expect spinners to take the wickets. There are still opportunities as a seamer, the ball swings out there and reverse swings later in the innings. You have to look at the positives and think how you can make an impact."
The road to India starts with England’s short trip to Bangladesh where they will face the hosts in a three-match ODI series followed by two Test matches. It will be interesting to see whether Anderson feature in the matches considering recent injury concerns to his right shoulder.