Coronavirus Break Could Extend Cricket Career by Two Years: James Anderson
James Anderson believes that crowd noise should be piped in, which would in turn help improve the atmosphere in the cricket stadium.
England fast bowler James Anderson believes suspension of cricket due to the coronavirus pandemic is likely to prolong his career by up to two years.
The cricket season was put on halt in March and England’s three-test series against the West Indies -- due to start in June -- has now been pushed back. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has since set a provisional date of July 8 for the series’ restart, and Anderson who has not played since a rib injury in January, was part of a 55 person group asking for training to resume.
“The break could just add on a year or two at the end of my career,” 37-year-old Anderson said on the Tailenders podcast.
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“I’ve really enjoyed being back; and as odd as it is just bowling into a net with not many people around, it’s still nice to be back and playing cricket.”
With the United Kingdom in lockdown, Anderson kept himself busy bowling at home and engaged his team-mates Stuart Broad and Mark Wood in a cycling competition using virtual cycling software.
Anderson is not the only one who has found a lack of sport beneficial for elite athletes. England wicket-keeper Joss Buttler previously said the shutdown had allowed cricketers to recharge their batteries which could prove beneficial in the long run.
With many sports slated to be played without fans, Anderson also believes that crowd noise should be piped in, which would in turn help improve the atmosphere in the stadium.
“I’ve been watching the rugby league in Australia and I actually thought there was a crowd watching,” the Lancashire paceman said.
“I thought it worked. It was nice to have that sort of atmosphere even though there was no one there.”
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