Jimmy hurt by captaincy snub
FAST bowler James Anderson has revealed his heartache at being overlooked for the England vice-captaincy and admitted his desire to one day take the reigns fromAndrew Strauss.
The Lancashire seamer said he was devastated to be shunned as a potential No2 to Strauss for the forthcoming tour of South Africa with opening batsman Alastair Cook given the nod instead despite being less experienced and three years younger at 24.
“I’m gutted that I didn’t get the vice-captaincy actually,”Anderson admitted. “It wasn’t even mentioned to me, but I’d like the chance one day. I’ve been a captain in junior cricket in years gone by.”
The majority of England’s 78 skippers so far have been batsmen and should Anderson take the reins in a Test match, he would become the first all-out fast bowler to lead the side since Bob Willis 25 years ago.
But Anderson, who has taken 140 scalps in 42 Tests, admits his dream to become captain is now unlikely to be realised.
“It’s something I’d like to do – to be captain. But as a fast bowler, and from the north as well, I suppose I’m very unlikely to get a look-in,” he said.
The Burnley-born pace man played a key role in England’s stunning Ashes triumph this summer and Strauss will be looking for a repeat performance from his first-choice bowling option when England fly out out to South Africa next month.