Anderson chosen ahead of Stokes as England vice-captain

Cricket365
March 13, 2018

James Anderson has been chosen ahead of Ben Stokes to be England’s vice-captain for the upcoming Test series in New Zealand.

The 35-year-old Anderson also filled the role of Joe Root’s deputy in the Ashes last year when Stokes did not play due to him facing a charge affray back home.

Stokes is back in the squad the two-match Test series against New Zealand that starts on 22 March in Auckland.

The allrounder however still has to make court appearances because he was charged and it is likely that seamer bowler Anderson will keep the vice-captaincy post until Stokes’ court case is done.

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Anderson told the BBC: “I’m delighted Joe has asked me to do it again for this series.

“It doesn’t change my role in the team a huge amount. I see myself as a senior player and I’m there for people if they need advice.

“Certainly if Joe needs help on the field, I’m there for him.”

Anderson will certainly want to play his part for an England side that wants to make amends for a four-nil Ashes defeat in Australia.

England have also nine out of their previous 12 Tests away from home.

Anderson said of the Ashes loss: “I don’t think we were far away. I know the scoreline says 4-0, and it looks like we got thrashed.

“But in each Test match I don’t think we were that far away. We got ourselves into games at certain times, and it was a bad half-hour or an hour here and there that really cost us the games we lost.

“I think that’s the learning curve for us. I don’t think we were far away. I know the scoreline says 4-0, and it looks like we got thrashed.

“I think that’s the learning curve for us.”