Citizen Sport
James Anderson: I owe a lot to champions Lancashire
2:00pm Thursday 24th November 2011
BURNLEY cricket ace James Anderson has enjoyed a superb 2011, both on the international and county scene. Although he didn’t figure much for Lancashire in their title-winning season, he was still delighted to be part of their celebrations, and revealed his joy in a new book ’Champions... About Bloomin’ Time’.
WHEN James Anderson hangs up his bowling boots and looks back at his career, surely nothing will be able to beat 2011.
The year of 2010 ended on a personal high note as his wife Daniella gave birth to their second daughter, Ruby, in December, with Anderson flying 10,000 miles to be at the birth having helped England take a 1-0 lead in the Ashes series in Australia.
Just days later he was back there playing in the third Test, and by the first week of January he had become part of English cricket history as Andrew Strauss’ men won the Ashes Down Under for the first time in 24 years.
Anderson finished the series, which England claimed 3-1, as the leading wicket-taker with 24, dispelling the myth he would struggle in Australian conditions.
The exertions of winning that series left him drained, however, and it showed in the World Cup which followed almost immediately. He was left out of the England side for their final two matches as they crashed out to Sri Lanka in the quarter finals.
A rejuvenated Anderson, however, put it quickly behind him as he played a key role in the 1-0 Test series win over the Sri Lankans at the start of the summer.
He then terrorised Sachin Tendulkar and the star-studded Indian batting line-up, claiming 21 wickets as England became the best Test team in the world with a comprehensive 4-0 series win. In doing so, he reached number two in the official ICC Test bowling rankings.
In August he was granted a benefit for 2012 by the club. In between it all, he played a part in Lancashire winning their first outright County Championship in 77 years.
“I’ve got such strong ties with Lancashire and have an awful lot to thank them for because they have given me a lot of help over the years,” said the 29-year-old.
“I supported them as a kid and played all of my age-group cricket here. I love playing for the county. Every chance I get to play for them is a real honour. Because of my situation with England, I never know when I am next going to play for Lancashire, so I always give it my all.
“It’s hard to describe the feeling having been part of a Championship-winning side but, if I’m honest, I was more happy for everyone else associated with the club, people like Glen Chapple and Peter Moores, who has done a fantastic job since he joined the club three years ago.
"I’m delighted for the players because I know how much effort they put in.”
* ‘Champions... About Bloomin’ Time’, published by Max Books, is priced £16.99 and can be ordered now from Lancashire’s ticket office on 0161 282 4040.