James Anderson has been named as England’s Test vice-captain. He will act as Joe Root’s deputy in Australia for as long as Ben Stokes remains unavailable.
Anderson, 35, is the leader of the bowling attack and, although he does not have much experience of captaincy, one of the squad’s most senior players. With Stokes currently out of contention while police continue to investigate his part in a fight outside a Bristol nightclub, Anderson has been preferred as vice-captain to other candidates such as Alastair Cook, Root’s predecessor in charge of the Test side, and Stuart Broad.
Asked whether he would be willing to take the job ahead of England’s second tour match Adelaide, Anderson said he was keen to help out.
“Of course I wouldn’t turn it down,” Anderson said. “In the last couple of years, I’ve seen my role in the team as a leader. It’s kind of your responsibility to be a leader. It’s part and parcel of the job as a senior player having played over 100 Tests.”
England suffered the latest injury setback of their tour on Thursday, when Jake Ball sprained his ankle while bowling against a Cricket Australia XI. Ball was sent for a scan on Friday and could be a doubt for the opening Ashes Test in Brisbane, starting on November 23.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo