Mumbai: Skipper Alastair Cook received a major shot in the arm, ahead of England’s tour of India, after the news of James Anderson joining the England side emerged earlier in the day.
The veteran pacer passed the fitness Test on Friday and is likely to arrive with former captain and now England Director of Cricket Andrew Strauss in Rajkot on Tuesday.
"It's a really good news (to have James Anderson back). He's got all clear and he is ready to come. So, it's just about trying to get him out to Rajkot as quick as we can. On Tuesday, he can be on the same flight with Straussy (Andrew Strauss),” said a rather beaming Cook on Saturday.
“He has worked incredibly hard to get back. Speaking to the guys at Loughborough, and speaking to him, there's no more he can do there. He has come back so much quicker than we thought. He’s up for this. He’s not coming here to make up the numbers,” added England’s Test skipper.
Although Anderson won’t play the opening Test in Rajkot, he could be a part of England’s playing XI for the second Test in Visakhapatnam. “I chatted with Jimmy yesterday and a couple of days before and (him being available for) the second Test is a good possibility,” said Cook.
“He has worked incredibly hard to get back. It says a lot of the guy and what it means to him. He has come back so much quicker than we thought. He’s up for this. He’s not coming here to make up the numbers,” added England’s Test skipper.
England’s leading wicket-taker in the longer format of the game suffered a shoulder injury and did not participate in the two-match Test series against Bangladesh. The last Test Anderson played was against Pakistan at the Oval in August this year.
“We will know how his body reacts when we see him. He’s coming out to acclimatise and get some overs in the nets – that’s the best preparation for him,” concluded Cook.
England coach Trevor Bayliss echoed Cook’s sentiments about Anderson’s comeback and backed Anderson despite the pacer’s lack of match practice.
“That’s always a risk (lack of match practice). But when you get anyone with his experience and number of international wickets coming along, it is good for the squad. Not merely for his on-field performance but his experience off the ground as well, talking to the young players,” said Bayliss.
