Anderson anxious as COVID-19 crisis threatens English cricket season

Cricket fraternity is taking all the precautionary measures to tackle the global Coronavirus pandemic.

James Anderson | Getty

Veteran pacer James Anderson has expressed fear over the novel Coronavirus pandemic, saying it could wreck the English cricket season completely.

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The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are slated to meet with the 18 first-class counties on Thursday (March 19), possibly by teleconference, in order to see whether the existing structure for the 2020 summer can be maintained.

The County Championship is due to start on April 12 but a postponement looks highly likely as other sports have called a halt in the country following British government’s instruction to avoid mass gatherings.

Last week, England rescheduled their tour of Sri Lanka and they are next meant to host the West Indies in a three-Test series, starting June 4.

"Cricket and sport is not the be all and end all but it is my livelihood, it's all I know," Anderson told the BBC's Tailenders podcast.

"The season is unlikely to start. It's still a little bit hazy as to what's going to happen. There's a chance we might not even bowl a ball this summer. I feel a little bit anxious. Just the not knowing is giving me a bit of anxiety," he added.

During the South Africa tour in January, Anderson could feature in only two Tests as broken rib saw him miss the last two games of the series.

The 151-Test veteran was not part of the Sri Lanka Test series and he was hoping to regain full fitness for the home season.

Anderson said personal issues caused by COVID-19 outbreak were a concern as well.

"Also trying to keep a young family healthy," he said. "I am trying to stay calm, follow the guidelines.

"My wife's mum and dad live in Spain so they are in lockdown. They are in the age group where there are concerns. The anxiety is building up in our house because of not knowing what will happen in the next few months."

(With AFP inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 19 Mar, 2020

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