Traditionalist James Anderson’s focus is on Test matches and the Ashes with England, not riches of IPL

England's leading wicket-taker in Tests is in Dubai with his county side Lancashire ahead of the Emirates Twenty20 tournament on Thursday and Friday.

James Anderson of England gestures during the Emirates Twenty20 tournament press conference in Dubai. Satish Kumar / The National

DUBAI // Last month, James Anderson’s England colleagues Ben Stokes and Tymal Mills made a stunning entry into the club of newly minted Twenty20 millionaires through the Indian Premier League auctions.

Anderson, who is in Dubai with his county side Lancashire for this weekend’s Emirates Twenty20 tournament, was delighted for the duo, but England’s top wicket-taker in international cricket has no plans to put his name into the IPL auction hat anytime soon.

“My focus has always been Test cricket and I want to try and get myself fit to play for England and that’s what I’ll keep doing,” said Anderson, who will be testing his fitness with matches at the ICC Academy on Thursday and Friday after returning home early from England’s tour of India in December with a shoulder problem.

“Twenty20 is not really a priority for me. But it’s great to see these guys get an opportunity, like Ben Stokes and Tymal Mills. It’s great for the game.”

A traditionalist at heart, Anderson, however, does not share the same view as those who see the 20-over format as a threat to the enduring charisma of Test cricket.

“I don’t see T20 as a threat,” he said. “I think T20 cricket has been fantastic for the sport. It’s got more people playing and more people watching. Yeah, it’s been brilliant. So cricket needs T20, but it also needs Test matches.

“I think there is a place for both. I don’t see T20 as a threat to Test cricket. I think they both could use each other.

“So I hope that Test cricket doesn’t, sort of, fall away because for me it’s the pinnacle really and it is for a lot of other players as well and I just hope we can keep the interest in Test cricket going.”

With England hosting South Africa and the West Indies for Test matches this summer, filling seats at the stadiums should not be a problem. But the biggest event, as far England Test cricket is concerned, comes towards the end of the year when newly appointed Test captain Joe Root takes his side to Australia for the Ashes series.

“It is a big year for English cricket,” said Anderson, who has taken 754 wickets in international cricket, including 467 in Test matches. “We got a new captain, got the Ashes at the end of the year, so we are pumped up for it.

“This summer is really important for us, not only for Joe taking over as captain, but for the whole team to get some form going.

“There’s an Ashes series at the end of the year. We have seen over the last few months that Australia are an improving side and they are going to be really tough to beat, especially in their own backyard. So we are going to have to be in top form when we go over there.

“I am really excited. It’s a great time for English cricket. Joe is an exciting player, our best player and it’s a great opportunity for him. He is a good lad, he will be looking to put his own stamp on things and I think all the guys are looking forward to playing under him.”

Event info:

What: Emirates Twenty20

When: Thursday and Friday

Where: ICC Academy, Dubai

Teams: Lancashire Lightning, Birmingham Bears, Durham Jets, Peshawar Zalmi, Lahore Qalandars and MCC World XI

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