James Anderson hopes to hear from England management soon regarding axe

Veteran seamer believes he is still bowling well and will focus on performing for Lancashire in county cricket

James Anderson is preparing for a new season with Lancashire. Getty

Veteran England fast bowler James Anderson said he has still not heard from the senior management since being dropped from the squad. However, the most successful seam bowler in history expects to hear from them after a new coach and director of cricket have been appointed.

Senior bowlers Anderson and Stuart Broad – who are England's all-time leading Test wicket takers with 1,177 scalps between them – were controversially left out of the 16-man squad for the three-Test tour of the West Indies in March.

It seemed part of a major overhaul following the 4-0 Ashes defeat in Australia with director of cricket Ashley Giles, head coach Chris Silverwood and batting coach Graham Thorpe heading towards the exit.

However, England did not fare much better in the Caribbean, losing the series 1-0. Anderson, meanwhile, is not losing hope.

"After an Ashes defeat everything comes under scrutiny," Anderson said. "There's lots going on, people losing their jobs and stuff. I would have loved a sit-down, face-to-face, but obviously that's not always possible.

"I would have loved more than a five-minute phone call. It's difficult because there is no one in those positions yet, there is an interim director of cricket and interim head coach. With stuff up in the air like that, I would expect to hear something once those positions are filled."

Anderson, 39, is preparing for the new season with Lancashire but says he is still unable to comprehend his England axe.

England captain Joe Root is consoled by Ben Stokes after losing the third Test - and the series - against West Indies at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Getty

West Indies players celebrate after winning the three-match series 1-0. Getty

Dejected England captain Joe Root after the match. Reuters

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite celebrates after defeating England by ten wickets on Day 4 in Grenada. AP

West Indies' Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell celebrate after beating England. AP

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite batting on Day 4. Getty

West Indies bowler Kemar Roach successfully appeals for the wicket of England's Jack Leach. Getty

West Indies fielder Jason Holder, right, celebrates after taking the catch to dismiss England's Chris Woakes. AP

England batsman Chris Woakes of England walks off the field after being dismissed by Kemar Roach for 19. AFP

West Indies wiciketkeeper Joshua Da Silva celebrates taking the catch to dismiss England's Jack Leach for four. Reuters

"I've stopped trying to make sense of it and just put it to one side," Anderson said.

"It was completely out of my control. I've got to focus on what I can control and that is bowling as well as I possibly can. Firstly that is here these next two months, try and take as many wickets as I possibly can and see what happens from there.

"Something like this, for me, it's quite a big deal because it came out of the blue a little bit. I still feel like I'm bowling well.

"I was in the top 10 of the world rankings so I feel like I'm doing a good job for the team. I feel like I've got a lot to offer, not just on the field but off it. I've really enjoyed working with the other bowlers that are coming through."

Despite the defeat in the West Indies, England captain Joe Root said that there had been "big improvements" in the team's attitude. Anderson rejected suggestions that he was difficult to lead.

"I've done what I did for quite a long period of time, I feel like I know what I'm doing," he said.

"I don't think I'm extremely stubborn. I will take advice and feedback from people. You'd have to ask Joe what he means by that."