Corey Anderson is determined to represent New Zealand in next year’s World Cup
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New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson has announced that he will only play limited overs cricket in the lead-up to the 2019 World Cup.
Anderson made this decision after deciding not to feature in the upcoming season of New Zealand’s first-class domestic competition.
The 27-year-old represented Somerset in this year’s Vitality Blast, which is England’s domestic Twenty20 tournament, and scored 514 runs in 16 matches, which included three half-centuries, at an average of 42.83 and a strike-rate of 169.07.
However, Anderson only bowled four overs in the 16 games he played and took one wicket.
Anderson will now play for New Zealand A in their series against Pakistan A in the United Arab Emirates. Should he perform well, Anderson could be added to New Zealand’s ODI and Twenty20 squads. The selectors have kept two spots vacant in both sides in order to slot in players that excel for New Zealand A.
“I got a taste of [the World Cup] here four years ago and it was unbelievable,” Anderson told stuff.co.nz as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “To try and give myself a chance to be involved in that again, that’s the driving force.
“I really want to be in that side. I want to be in there right now. There’s still that dream and still that goal. I think it’s probably just making sure I’m doing it the right way as well. Trying to earn [my place] back and earn the right to be in the side. Performing at that level is the next biggest thing you have to try and achieve.”
Anderson’s career has been plagued with back injuries as of late, and he underwent surgery in September last year.
However, playing numerous games for Somerset for in the Vitality Blast has given Anderson a major boost ahead of New Zealand’s summer at home and the World Cup.
“It’s the first time I’ve got to the top of my mark and not had to be worried about if I was going to be sore or hurting in any different area,” he said. “It’s given me that little bit of love back in the game, which you tend to lose sometimes when you get bummed out with injuries. It’s nice to feel like I’ve got my body back and I can get stuck into it.
“Although the surgery was 12 months ago, it’s probably just being cautious around those things. I had my 12-month scan last week to make sure everything was great and I got the all-clear to say everything was spick and span.
“To have everything back and heading in the right direction gives your psyche a massive boost.”