James Anderson hopes to play in all 7 Tests despite rotation policy

Earlier this year, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) introduced a player rotation policy in a bid to keep the players fresh and give them breaks from the hectic cricket schedule. The rotation policy fetched a lot of criticism from many former England players as they held it responsible for England’s embarrassing loss in the four-match Test series by 1-3 against India.

However, England’s reputed speed merchant James Anderson backed ECB saying that it was necessary to give the players some time out to ensure that they remain mentally and physically fit. The pacer also feels that the upcoming five-match home Test series against India can see the players getting rotated more frequently as all the matches will be played in quick succession.

“The five Tests against India might be a different story with back-to-backs in quite quick succession. That might be where people get rotated a bit more. The rotation in the winter was completely understandable with the amount of cricket we had and the amount of time in bubbles that we were spending,” Anderson was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

“It’s going to be slightly different this summer. If everything goes well, I think it will start to get relaxed. We won’t be in the sort of bubble life that we’ve experienced in the last 12 months. So there might be not as much reason to rest people,” he added. 

England is scheduled to play a two-match series against New Zealand, starting from June 2. After New Zealand, England’s next assignment in the purest format of the game will be against India as both nations will lock horns in five Test matches, scheduled from August 4 to September 14. Speaking about the Test schedule, Anderson revealed that he is excited to feature in all seven fixtures.

I’d love to play all seven Tests this summer: James Anderson

Further, the 38-year-old hoped that England will pick their strongest squad for the Test matches and he and Stuart Broad will get to play together. Both Broad and Anderson have been discussing the same and believe that it will be nice to get a few games together.

“Yes, I’d love to play all seven Tests this summer. There are five Tests against India after these two Tests against New Zealand, and then the Ashes after that. So we want to start this summer well. So hopefully, if we do pick our strongest team, we (Anderson and Broad) would like to think that we’re both in that. And we’d love to share the new ball together, yes.

“Stuart and I have sent a few texts to each other saying it’d be nice if we did get to play together. Obviously, it’s completely down to the coach and captain. But I think, from the team’s point of view, we want to get some momentum going into a big summer, Anderson signed off.