'I just want to feel good in myself again'
After taking 6 for 49 in his first match of the season for Lancashire, James Anderson spoke to the press at Old Trafford
Wisden Cricinfo staff
14-May-2004
After a frustrating winter on the fringes of England's tour of the Caribbean, James Anderson took 6 for 49 in his first match of the season, as Lancashire took control against Worcestershire. Afterwards he spoke to the press at Old Trafford:
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Are you doing anything different now to what you were doing six months ago?
No, I'm just concentrating on bowling pretty straight - keeping things wicket-to-wicket. The ball seemed to be coming out quickly, but it didn't swing at all and the breeze wasn't helping me. I just had to keep it tight. I've felt quite good all winter, to be honest, and I had a decent rhythm in the nets. But it's a totally different situation when you get out into the middle.
No, I'm just concentrating on bowling pretty straight - keeping things wicket-to-wicket. The ball seemed to be coming out quickly, but it didn't swing at all and the breeze wasn't helping me. I just had to keep it tight. I've felt quite good all winter, to be honest, and I had a decent rhythm in the nets. But it's a totally different situation when you get out into the middle.
Were you apprehensive about playing in this match?
Yeah, I've had four one-day internationals over the winter, so it was a bit of a different situation today, and I wasn't sure what to expect. But it turned out to be exactly what I needed - a long bowl and a good couple of spells to get back into it.
Yeah, I've had four one-day internationals over the winter, so it was a bit of a different situation today, and I wasn't sure what to expect. But it turned out to be exactly what I needed - a long bowl and a good couple of spells to get back into it.
Are you feeling refreshed after a winter on the sidelines?
That's one way of looking at it - I am feeling pretty fresh, yeah. Some of the guys here are saying I look fresher than they are, and that's only a couple of games into the season. I'm definitely feeling fit and strong.
That's one way of looking at it - I am feeling pretty fresh, yeah. Some of the guys here are saying I look fresher than they are, and that's only a couple of games into the season. I'm definitely feeling fit and strong.
There must have been some doubt about you playing for Lancashire today - Sajid Mahmood has been in good form ...
He has. Someone asked me this week whether I was worried about getting my England place back, but I said: "First things first, let me get back in the Lancashire side". Kyle [Hogg] and Sajid have been playing exceptionally well, and just because I've come off an England tour, it doesn't mean I have a right to walk into the side.
He has. Someone asked me this week whether I was worried about getting my England place back, but I said: "First things first, let me get back in the Lancashire side". Kyle [Hogg] and Sajid have been playing exceptionally well, and just because I've come off an England tour, it doesn't mean I have a right to walk into the side.
Does England status create extra pressure?
Not really. I was just out to bowl well, not necessarily even to take wickets. All I wanted was to feel good in myself again. That will do me fine. But six wickets under my belt is certainly not going to do me any harm with the selectors.
Not really. I was just out to bowl well, not necessarily even to take wickets. All I wanted was to feel good in myself again. That will do me fine. But six wickets under my belt is certainly not going to do me any harm with the selectors.
Did you bowl as well as the figures suggest?
Maybe not, but I've definitely bowled better for less. But that's cricket. You need a bit of luck, and when your second ball of the day is nicked down the leg-side, you know you've just got to cash in.
Maybe not, but I've definitely bowled better for less. But that's cricket. You need a bit of luck, and when your second ball of the day is nicked down the leg-side, you know you've just got to cash in.
How frustrating was your experience this winter?
At times it was extremely frustrating, sitting there watching the other guys taking all the wickets and wishing it was you out there. But that's the way it goes. I was happy, because it was my mates who were doing the job, but I was happy and sad at the same time.
At times it was extremely frustrating, sitting there watching the other guys taking all the wickets and wishing it was you out there. But that's the way it goes. I was happy, because it was my mates who were doing the job, but I was happy and sad at the same time.
Did it get you down?
Sometimes, but I tried not to let it show. I just got on with my training and practising with Troy [Cooley] and the other coaches. After that, it was just a case of getting back to the County Championship and taking wickets.
Sometimes, but I tried not to let it show. I just got on with my training and practising with Troy [Cooley] and the other coaches. After that, it was just a case of getting back to the County Championship and taking wickets.
Will you be a better player for the experience?
Hopefully. It's not done me any harm at all to be out there and not playing. It should stand me in good stead for the future.
Hopefully. It's not done me any harm at all to be out there and not playing. It should stand me in good stead for the future.
What have you done in the four or five days since you returned from the West Indies?
I went home to see my friends and family, then had a net with the 2nd XI on Tuesday before the game.
I went home to see my friends and family, then had a net with the 2nd XI on Tuesday before the game.
It's been a rollercoaster 12 months - sometimes you've been taking wickets galore, and other times you've been getting none. Has your bowling form been tied in with that?
It's really hard to explain. It's the same for batters and their bad runs of form - sometimes it's a poor decision, other times a stunning catch. As far as I'm concerned, I might be bowling well, but if I don't take the wickets, everyone assumes I'm bowling badly.
It's really hard to explain. It's the same for batters and their bad runs of form - sometimes it's a poor decision, other times a stunning catch. As far as I'm concerned, I might be bowling well, but if I don't take the wickets, everyone assumes I'm bowling badly.
Are you a better bowler now than 12 months ago?
Definitely. I'm more experienced now. I adjust more quickly to each batsman, and I'm getting to know their strengths and weaknesses as I play more. Everyone ought to get better with experience, and as long as you've got the right coaches on hand, you should progress.
Definitely. I'm more experienced now. I adjust more quickly to each batsman, and I'm getting to know their strengths and weaknesses as I play more. Everyone ought to get better with experience, and as long as you've got the right coaches on hand, you should progress.
It must be exciting to be part of this England team at the moment?
Yeah. My job now is to put pressure on the guys in the side. If I keep taking wickets, then hopefully they'll have to perform even better as well.
Yeah. My job now is to put pressure on the guys in the side. If I keep taking wickets, then hopefully they'll have to perform even better as well.
You might not be seeing much more of Lancashire this season?
Yeah. There is so much international cricket at the moment. It was sad to miss out on Lancashire's one-day trophy last season as well, but unfortunately you can't be in two places at once.
Yeah. There is so much international cricket at the moment. It was sad to miss out on Lancashire's one-day trophy last season as well, but unfortunately you can't be in two places at once.
Do you expect to play at Lord's?
I haven't a clue. All I know is I'd love to play for England again anywhere, whether it's Lord's or Turf Moor.
I haven't a clue. All I know is I'd love to play for England again anywhere, whether it's Lord's or Turf Moor.