James Anderson backs England seamers to make an impact on Windies tour

"Even though the wickets might be quite flat still, with the ball moving around through the air, you feel like you can affect the game"

By Sam Drury

James Anderson is confident conditions in the West Indies will allow England’s fast bowlers to make an impact

James Anderson expects England’s seam bowlers to make an impact during the Tests in the West Indies after a spin-dominated series in Sri Lanka.

England's leading wicket-taker also insisted that, despite a World Cup and an Ashes series on home soil this summer, the team's focus will be solely on their matches in the Caribbean.

After a pair of two-day warm-up matches, England face the Windies in the first Test at Barbados' Kensington Oval from Wednesday.

"I never set myself goals. I literally just try and get myself fit and prepared for the next game," Anderson told Sky Sports.

"I feel as though, if I look too far ahead then I take my focus off what I need to be doing now.

Advertisement

"It is a huge year for us, with a World Cup and an Ashes in England, but I think that's something that we would rather focus on when that time comes rather than taking our focus off what is an important tour here."

After just one wicket in two matches in Sri Lanka, Anderson will also be aiming to get back among the wickets himself and strengthen his position as the most prolific fast bowler in the history of Test cricket.

Also See:

"For the seam bowlers, we didn't feel like we could affect the game that much (in Sri Lanka)," he added.

It's cold in England but it will be scorching in the Caribbean as England play Windies in Test and white-ball cricket, live on Sky Sports!

"Here, even though the wickets might be quite flat still, with the ball moving around through the air, you feel like you can affect the game a bit and that you can contribute and help the team.

"That's pretty much all we can do as seamers. We've talked about maybe bowling a touch fuller if it's swinging early on, even if the wicket is flat."

Watch England's tour of the Caribbean live on Sky Sports this winter, starting with the first Test in Barbados from 1pm on Wednesday.

Outbrain