James Anderson backing his skills despite drop in pace

The 34-year-old England speedster James Anderson is confident that he is skilful and experienced enough to recompense for the loss in his pace till he plays international cricket. James Anderson was omitted from the England squad for the first Test as he was recovering from a shoulder injury.

After a shocking loss to Pakistan in the first Test at Lord’s, the English team came back strongly in the 2nd Test and the inclusion of Ben Stokes and James Anderson proved vital for them. Anderson picked up 4 wickets in the Old Trafford Test as England defeated Pakistan by 330 runs, thus levelling the series 1-1. The flamboyant fast bowler from England has picked up 458 wickets from his 117 appearances. He felt that his loss of pace wasn’t a problem and he had other ways to compensate it.

"I didn't feel like my speeds were where they could be at Old Trafford," Anderson told reporters. "I felt a bit like Matthew Hoggard at the end of his career when he slowed down a bit but his control was pretty good.

"With the skills I have, I can do a job even if my speeds did drop. With experience, you can stay one step ahead in your head. It is like an old defender in football, who might not have the pace of a quick striker but he's two steps ahead of him upstairs." Anderson said.

Anderson had missed quite a few matches last year due to injuries but said he was working very hard on his fitness and technique to keep himself in shape. He still has the hunger to pick wickets for England.

"The way I feel at the moment, mentally, I've still got a hunger to play the game and a hunger to take wickets and help my team win matches," Anderson added.

"As long as I've got that hunger I'm going to keep working, keep improving and keep working on my fitness and if I get to 37 then great. I just try to concentrate on staying fit for the next game."

The ECB came under stern criticism after asking Anderson to play in the county match rather than the 1st Test when he was fit to bowl in the nets, but Anderson backed the decision of team management.

"Looking back, without having had any game time before that first test, it was probably wise to get some overs under my belt before I came back into the test side," Anderson said, and went on to say, "I think it was probably the right decision."