England’s much-awaited five-Test tour of India is all set to get underway on January 25 at the Ranji Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad.
Ahead of the series, veteran England pacer James Anderson acknowledged the challenge that bowlers face while bowling on Indian tracks for the first time. Despite the difficulty, the 41-year-old expressed his willingness to help the young bowlers of his team.
Anderson will be spearheading England's bowling attack in what will be his sixth tour to India. He boasts an impressive record on Indian soil, claiming 34 wickets from 13 Tests at an average of 29.32.
Speaking to The Telegraph, James Anderson said he would look to pass on his knowledge and experience to the bowlers being the senior-most pacer in the squad.
"I have a duty to pass on information to people. We have bowlers who have not bowled in India before, so it will be a different challenge for them. We have to help where we can," Anderson stated.
Anderson, who played a key role in England’s 2012 Test series victory in India, admitted that the English team will not be heavily dependent on pace bowling in India.
"There are only four seamers going so we will not be expecting to bowl a huge amount of seam. It is just a slightly different role. You might not bowl the overs you do in England but they are still important," he added.
Besides Anderson, England’s pace attack for the India tour includes Mark Wood, Ollie Robinson and Gus Atkinson.
The spin department features Jack Leach, who was the highest wicket-taker for England in the last Test series. It will be a test for young spinners Tom Hartley and Shoib Bashir, who will be bowling on Indian tracks for the very first time.
On a separate note, James Anderson also opened up about his retirement prospects, saying that he still has a lot to offer to the England team in the longest format.
"I still feel like I've got a lot to offer this team. I still feel like I have got the skills to win England games of cricket so as long as I feel like that, I don't see why I should finish just because of my age," he remarked.
Anderson has represented England in 183 Test matches so far, picking up 690 wickets at an average of 26.42 with 32 five-wicket hauls.
