James Anderson: ‘I hate to see Test cricket suffer but I’m not surprised. T20 is easier on the body, brain – and pocket’

Interview: England’s record Test wicket-taker is a passionate believer in the game’s traditional format but says he is not surprised when team-mates turn their heads elsewhere

James Anderson: ‘Test cricket needs role models’ (Getty)

For someone whose line was so sure, who so deliberately swung the ball and nibbled it off the surface, Jimmy Anderson finds something he is less sure about when the subject turns to fixing the many problems of international cricket.

Two England players turning their back on Test matches in one week has made the viability of the game’s longest form a hot topic right now, but the usually opinionated Anderson finds himself short of ideas when quizzed on what he’d do to reverse a trend that has plenty in the game very concerned.

“I’m not sure what the answer is,” he admits.

“From an England point of view they have put money into white-ball cricket because our performances in World Cups has not been good enough, I understand the reasons for that. But we have to be careful not to go too one-day, we have to find a balance because there is such a legacy of Test cricket in this country and we can’t lose that.”

So was he surprised by the decisions of Alex Hales and Adil Rashid to focus on the money-spinning versions of the game even when a red-ball recall wasn’t out of the picture for either?

“No. It was something I kind of thought might happen, with the way contracts have gone.

“There are incentives in white-ball cricket now, especially being able to play all the Twenty20 stuff around the world,” Anderson says.

“It’s getting quite ludicrous in terms of the money you can earn. I’m not surprised at all and I’m sure there will be other people that follow in the future. The danger for us is that it becomes, not an epidemic, but popular among players to do this.

Anderson believes Ashes cricket is still the pinnacle (Getty)

“I do worry if more and more players do it whether that sets the kind of example we want for younger guys coming through the game.

“Will they want to go on and play Test cricket and put in the hard graft of playing five days on tough pitches? Or would they want to go forward in a game that would potentially be more lucrative for them?

“These competitions around the world are fantastic to watch but as good as they are, I would hate to see Test cricket suffer more than it is at the minute.”

And it is suffering.

As Anderson speaks, South Africa and Australia are playing the first day of the first Test match in a series between two of cricket’s best teams. The crowd is pitiful. There have been family barbecues with greater attendances and it is images like that – of seas of empty seats – which only compound the fears of traditionalists – a banner under which it seems Anderson finds himself.

“It’s a slight worry for me because the crowds around the world seem to be dwindling.

“Seeing South Africa v Australia, the crowd in Durban ... it might not be ideal, midweek, kids at school – but that’s potentially the most exciting series around the world!

The 35-year-old is in the twilight of his career (Getty)

“I just hope... you need role models; Virat Kohli if he continues, [Morne] Morkel retiring is a big loss, AB [De Villiers] there is talk about him... it needs people, not just players but they will play a part of it and more people will want to watch it.”

On English soil, as the 35-year-old seamer finds himself after what may ultimately prove to be his last winter tour, the situation is not quite so serious. Rashid and Hales have committed to short-form cricket but plenty of talented up-and-comers haven’t and still see Tests as the pinnacle of the game.

And as long as there are young players that want to make it there and young fans in the stands, Anderson thinks the outlook can be bright for England – though at some point the money question is always going to kick in.

“When we play Test cricket in England there are lots of kids watching a full day’s play, I am sure there is still interest out there and an Ashes series is still the pinnacle for the young guys coming through.

“I just worry they will get caught up in T20 as it’s easier on the body and brain... and a lot easier on the pocket as well.”

Jimmy Anderson was speaking on behalf of BRUT Aftershave. Follow @BRUTforMen for more.