After Moeen Ali, Test future worries James Anderson

Anderson is England's leading wicket taker in Tests.

 Franchise T20 cricket will be more attractive to young cricketers, feels Anderson. (Getty)

The growing signs of England cricketers focussing more on white ball cricket has now made England pace spearhead James Anderson think on the same lines as teammate Moeen Ali regarding the longevity of Test cricket. 

Earlier, Moeen Ali had also voiced his opinion regarding the future of  Test cricket after he saw only a handful of supporters turn up at the Ashes. 

As per Reuters, Moeen Ali told reporters, “I feared in the Ashes actually.... The crowds were quite disappointing. There were a couple of big days, but even when they (Australia) won the Ashes there weren’t that many celebrating. That’s when I thought, ‘Actually, we’re struggling a bit’.”

He added, “It is a worry. Test cricket is the pinnacle. It is in my opinion where the best players play. You can really see who is the best. It’s been a worry for a while, but Australia really opened my eyes.”

The likes of Adil Rashid and Alex Hales as well then decided to concentrate on ODIs seeing the lessening popularity of the 5-day format of the game. 

Anderson, England's record Test wicket-taker, believes the riches on offer in the likes of the Big Bash League and the Indian Premier League will be more attractive to young players than cricket's longest format.

"I just pray there is enough love for Test cricket out there," he said in quotes reported by BBC Sport.

"With the way cricket is going and the amount of Twenty20 cricket around the world, there is that worry that more and more people will start doing it.

"The next generation of players coming through might see that as a way to go if they want to find a career in cricket.

"It's a lot less hours on the field playing, it's a lot easier on the body and the mind, and it potentially could be more [lucrative] in terms of the money they can make around the world." 

In the recently completed Ashes series James Anderson reached the milestone of 500 Test wickets, the most by any England bowler till date in Tests. 

 
 

By Anshuman Roy - 02 Mar, 2018

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