The Ashes 2017-18: James Anderson Ready to Take up Vice-Captaincy for Ashes if Offered the Role

Apr 6, 2019 at 2:09 PM

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The Ashes 2017-18: James Anderson Ready to Take up Vice-Captaincy for Ashes if Offered the Role

Arguably one of the greatest fast bowlers to have played for England, James Anderson on Monday said that despite not giving a thought to vice-captaincy, he is open to replacing Ben Stokes as the vice-captain for the Ashes if offered the role.

England has already left for Australia without their usual vice-captain and one of the most important players, Ben Stokes who is still awaiting the outcome of the police investigation after a roadside brawl outside a nightclub in Bristol.

The England and the Wales Cricket Board hasn’t ruled him out the series yet which is starting on November 23 at the Gabba in Brisbane. Anderson told reporters that “Vice Captaincy is not something I have thought to be honest, ” but when asked whether he would turn down the offer if asked to be the vice-captain of the team for the Ashes, Anderson said, “Of course not, I wouldn’t.”

“Certainly over the past few years I have seen my role in the team as being a leader, especially with the young bowlers coming in, I try and help out where I can,” Anderson further added.

A lanky fast bowler who is England’s highest wicket-taker in Test cricket said that he already fulfills the role of a leader in the team with the support of former skipper Alistair Cook and Stuart Broad.

Ashes 2017-18, Stuart Broad, Ben Stokes, Dressing Room Leader, Australia Vs England, Alastair Cook, James Anderson
Anderson and Broad have been chief architect for England with the ball. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

“That is part and parcel as a senior player who has played over 100 Tests, to be a leader. Myself and Stuart try and lead the bowling attack, Alastair has been captain. We have a nice leadership group.  My experience as a senior player is to bring experience to the group. Myself, Alastair, Stuart Broad all bring experience to the group and our job is to help out where we can.

“There’s a lot of players on this tour that haven’t played an Ashes series or toured Australia. Our job is to help out,” he added.

Anderson bagged 4/37 in the first tour game against Western Australia XI  in Perth over the last weekend. He said that he didn’t get much swing and rhythm at first but as the day wore out most of the bowlers started feeling better as the ball did something.

David Warner, Bristol Fight, Ben Stokes, Joe Root, Punch, Walkabout Bar, Birmingham, Ashes 2017-18
In Stokes’ case, police asked witnesses to come forward. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

“But I felt I got better as the day wore on and I think most of the bowlers would say the same,” he added.

The visitors arrived in Adelaide on Monday for a 4-day day-night tour game against a Cricket Australia XI starting on Wednesday. England will look to finalize their playing XI for the opening Test after examining the performances of the players in the tour games.

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