WE MIGHT NOT EVEN BOWL A BALL THIS SUMMER – ANDERSON

James Anderson

England bowler James Anderson said he is feeling ‘a bit anxious’ because of the impact coronavirus could have on his professional and personal life. A possible rescheduling of the cricket season will be discussed today.

The 2020 County Championship is due to begin on April 12 while England are set to play the West Indies in a three-Test series starting on June 4. “Cricket and sport is all but my livelihood, it’s all I know,” Anderson, 37, said yesterday. “There’s a chance we might not even bowl a ball this summer.” The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has said all options are being looked at, including postponements and playing games behind closed doors. England’s tour of Sri Lanka was called off last week while England and Nottinghamshire batsman Alex Hales and six Surrey Men’s players are all self-isolating. Hampshire Chairman Rod Bransgrove said one contingency may be ‘playing no cricket at all’ this season.

Anderson, England’s leading wicket-taker in Tests, last played in the second Test against South Africa in January before a rib injury ruled him out of the rest of the series. He had been left out of the squad for England’s cancelled two-Test tour of Sri Lanka in the hope of being fully fit for the start of the summer. “The season is unlikely to start,” Anderson said, speaking to the BBC’s Tailenders podcast. “It’s still a little bit hazy as to what’s going to happen.” “I feel a little bit anxious.

Just the not knowing is giving me a bit of anxiety.” “Also, trying to keep a young family healthy, I am trying to stay calm, follow the guidelines.” “My wife’s mum and dad live in Spain so they are in lockdown. They are in the age group where there are concerns. The anxiety is building up in our house because of not knowing what will happen in the next few months.”

(BBC)