James Anderson: Cricket should not return behind closed doors

Cricket will not return before June at the earliest, but James Anderson believes that when it does, it should not take place behind closed doors.

Anderson turns 38 in July and says he is “really going to cherish it and enjoy every single moment of it” when he next takes the field. He says it has not crossed his mind that he might never play again.

The ECB are currently working through scenarios based on when cricket might return this summer. It is possible that England and county matches could take place behind closed doors to ensure there is a TV event, but Anderson is reluctant to get on board with that plan.

“Obviously in an ideal world, we would have supporters there,” said Anderson. "I saw some of the football being played behind closed doors and it just doesn’t look right to me.

For some of the bigger games, you had people gathering outside the ground which sort of defeats the object of playing behind closed doors. I’m not saying we’d have crowds gathering outside Edgbaston or Lord’s or whatever.

“But if and when we do play cricket again, surely it’s got to be with crowds watching.”

Having endured nine months of injury frustration, missing eight Tests due to calf and rib issues, Anderson says he was “ready and raring to go” for the new season with Lancashire.

It is clear that he is desperate to play any cricket available to him – including the Hundred, if that were to go ahead.

Anderson and his long-time bowling partner Stuart Broad are not contracted to teams in the Hundred, but do have ambassadorial roles with Manchester Originals and Trent Rockets respectively. That could change to a playing position if there is little else for them to do, even though Anderson has not played the shortest form for six years.

“I want to be playing cricket and if that is the only cricket going on, if it’s The Hundred or the T20 Blast, I’d love to be involved in that,” said Anderson. “If that’s the only thing going on. If there wasn’t any red-ball cricket this summer, it would be a long, long time for me to be ticking over in the nets. I’d much rather be playing some competitive cricket like that than not.”

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Anderson shadow bowling in his living room as he waits for return