England aware of challenge Pakistan could pose: James Anderson

RAWALPINDI: England’s veteran fast bowler James Anderson has said that his side is aware of the challenge Pakistan could pose them during the three-match Test series as he noted that it is important to think out of the box to find something out in unresponsive wickets.

Talking to media in Rawalpindi ahead of England’s first Test against Pakistan, also the country’s first on Pakistani soil in 17 years, the 40-year-old cricketer said that he is delighted to be back in Pakistan.

In response to a question, he said that as a bowling unit, they’re not focusing on one or two players as they believe that Pakistan has a strong batting lineup.

“We know how stronger their batting lineup is from one to eight. So, we've got to make sure we've got plans for all of them. We're well aware of how important Babar is for Pakistan being the captain as well as I'd say their best player. So, we will give him attention but also, we need to focus on the other guys as well, because they're very strong,” he said.

Anderson is the only member of England’s playing squad who toured Pakistan 17 years ago and the fast bowler said the England camp has tried to learn about how conditions would be here by watching Pakistan’s test matches against South Africa and Australia.

“We've been talking quite a lot about what the wicket might be, we've looked at the Australia game from last year, we've looked at the South Africa game from the year before that. So, trying to just get ideas of what to expect when we got there on Thursday. And, as we always do, as a bowling group, we try and talk quite a lot and I can just about remember that tour last time, so I'm trying to wrack my brains for how those wickets played but I think we've got to try and have a fairly fresh open mind on Thursday and try to adapt well to the conditions,” he said.

“The guys understand how bigger at all this is in terms of world cricket, not just the two teams that are here. So yeah, we're delighted to be here and excited to get going on Thursday,” he added.

When asked if it would be difficult to find some help on unresponsive wickets, the experienced England cricketer said that to try to find something in unresponsive pitches is the sort of skill of being a test cricketer who plays all around the world.

“You've got to try and find ways of taking wickets,” he said.

“I think the introduction of Ben as captain and Brendon as a coach has also helped in terms of thinking outside the box in terms of field settings and plans that you use on the field. And, I think we might have to think outside the box a little bit over the next few weeks,” Anderson said.

When asked if he has set his eyes on any milestone before hanging his boots, the fast bowler said that he has never set any target and would enjoy his cricket as long as his body would allow him to do so.

“As long as my body will allow, I'll try and do it to the best of my ability and see where we get to in the future. I don't know could be six months, a year, or two years. Who knows? I'll just keep trying to keep myself fit. Keep holding well, keep taking weeks for the team and see what happens,” he concluded.