“Praying this isn't the end”: James Anderson breaks silence after being dropped from England Test squad for West Indies series

London: England veteran pacer James Anderson finally broke his silence after being dropped from the Test squad for the West Indies series.

The 39-year-old remained hopeful that "this isn't the end" of his career.

Anderson, who has 640 Test wickets to his name, was axed from England squad for next month's series against West Indies.

"I'm praying this isn't the end. I've got one more go at digging deep. I've got a lot left to offer. I have still got the hunger and passion to play," ICC quoted Anderson as saying.

"It was a shock and a disappointment to get that call but having processed it, it's important I try to focus on stuff I can control and that's showing people what I can do with the ball in my hand."

Anderson's quest to win back his Test spot has received support from his former Ashes rival Shane Watson. "I can see why English cricket and selectors were a little bit frustrated they weren't able to have the same impact from a bowling perspective as the Australians did during the recent Ashes series," Watson said recently on the ICC Review show.

"But are the next breed of English bowlers coming through better than Broad and Anderson right now? "In my eyes, no. So, I would have been picking them (for the West Indies)." (UNI)