James Anderson: Ben Stokes’ ’emotional intelligence’ reinvigorated my England career | Cricket News

England bowler James Anderson says the approach led by Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes, and the latter’s ’emotional intelligence’, has revitalized his international career.

Anderson’s tally of 177 Test caps puts him second on the all-time list behind India’s Sachin Tendulkar but, at 40, he is still considering future challenges rather than reminiscing about past glories. In December, he celebrated his 20th year as an international player.

Enjoying their work has become easier since Stokes and McCullum completed the whole approach of England and, with the result.

Eradicating the fear of failure and replacing it with a desire to entertain has taken the team to nine wins in 10 Tests, creating a buzz that is already rippling through the wider cricketing world.

Anderson played a role in series victories over New Zealand and South Africa at home last summer, plus victory over India in the postponed fifth Test of the 2021 series, before taking eight wickets in Pakistan’s first two wins in a historic 3-0 series win. sweep clean.

Newcomers and veterans alike have been energized by the attacking approach, which will see them take on New Zealand next in the two-Test series in February and Anderson anticipates a blockbuster series as they bid to regain the Ashes against Australia later this year.

“It’s exciting in this team. Whoever we play will be exciting, we’ll give them a good crack and Australia in the summer could be amazing,” he said.

“I can’t see them doing anything but to be honest.

“There’s something wrong with you as a player if you don’t like the way we’re doing it. It’s constantly thinking and talking about the game in a positive way, so, yeah, it’s re-energized me.”

Anderson praised Stokes’ leadership and conviction, stating his insistence that the bowling group is tired of apologizing to the audience with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Shariz after the last invitation in Rawalpindi last month.

“He just went, ‘the bowler’s not going, he’s got to recover’. He’s strong enough to do that,” Anderson said.

“I always looked down on him as a role model. But he was incredible, his emotional intelligence around the group, managing the players. I didn’t know he had this side.

“There was definitely a moment when I thought it might be [for my England career]. There was a bit of anger and disappointment [at being left out of the tour to the West Indies].

“I’m just trying to figure it out and not make any rash decisions.

“I’m not a complete bowler. I don’t play a perfect game or play a perfect game.

“There’s always something I can do. I want to be the best at everything I do; if I’m rubbish, I’ll give up.”