“I’d love to still play a part if I could”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

England pace bowler James Anderson has revealed that he is eager to start playing ODIs and Twenty20 Internationals.

Anderson, who has been England’s go-to pace bowler in Test cricket, admitted that the thought crept up in his mind while he watched England reach the final of World Twenty20 in India earlier this month.

The 33-year-old has not played ODI cricket since the 2015 World Cup, while his last Twenty20 International came against South Africa in November 2009.

“I’ve never not wanted to be involved in it; it has just been a decision that was taken out of my hands,” he said. “I’d love to still play a part if I could but, again, that is up to the powers that be.

“They’ll have their own ideas of where they want the team to go and we’ve seen some fantastic white-ball cricket over the past 12 months from the England team so it is not going to be easy for me to get back in there.

“But whether it is an opportunity with Lancashire in the T20s or 50-over stuff, trying to perform for them and get back in that way, then that is what I’ll try do.”

Anderson added that he was highly impressed with England’s performance during the World Twenty20 and hopes that they can continue their good run of form this summer.

“We are fifth in the world because we have been inconsistent and the teams that get to No 1 in the world are consistent over a period of time and we’ve got to try and do that,” he said. “It is understandable with the young team that we have got that we are going to be inconsistent for a little while, but now I think is the time to start kicking on.

“Certainly the T20, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching that and some of the talent that was on show was just frightening, really, and hopefully that can continue this summer.”