‘Stuart and I were hoping our careers weren’t over’: James Anderson speaks about making a comeback in the Tests

After the Joe Root era in the longest format of the game, England has recently appointed Ben Stokes as the new captain of the team. His appointment in the new role has given the icons of English cricket James Anderson and Stuart Board a hope to return to the team. The duo was dropped from the squad to everybody’s surprise after England’s humiliating loss in The Ashes.

While most of the cricketing fraternity thought that England has moved on from the duo, the new captain has batted for their inclusion into the team. Notably, Anderson and Broad are the top two wicket-takers for the Three Lions in the longest format of the game. They share 1,177 wickets between them and they are already legends of the game.

Ben Stokes’ appointment as the captain of the Test team was ensured by Rob Key, the Managing Director of England Cricket Board. Taking over the baton from Joe Root, he immediately backed the most experienced bowling duo of England. This has given hope to Anderson and Broad to take the red ball again for the team.

While speaking about it in an interview with BBC, Anderson said – “Stuart and I were hoping our careers weren’t over. So, it’s nice to hear that there’s a chance. It still means we’ve got to put in some performances here with our counties to prove that we’re playing well enough to get in that final eleven.”

“Because of the situation and not having people in these roles, you’re just so unsure of what’s going to happen. So now having that clarity is really nice,”- He added.

Meanwhile, speaking of Stokes, he is taking over the job of England’s test captaincy in tough times. The team is going through a dip in their form having won just one match in their last 17 outings. Stokes’ first assignment as a full-time captain will be against New Zealand in June. The series might mark the return of the Anderson-Broad duo and they will surely look to prove themselves if given the chance.