James Anderson primed for limited winter role as busy 2021 beckons

England's all-time leading wicket-taker is expecting to be in and out of the team during a year which includes 17 Tests

"It's not going to stop them sledging me anyway, to be honest." The most Test wickets for England. A four-time Ashes winner. A target for physical and mental abuse from the likes Michael Clarke and Mitchell Johnson. But no, a knighthood would lead to Australian fans abusing James Anderson during next winter's Ashes series.

"It was a pretty unusual story," said the 38-year-old on the report in The Times suggesting he was overlooked for a knighthood in the New Year Honours list to avoid fans getting on his back during the Ashes. "I've not heard anything like that. I get a big barrage when I go there anyway so I look forward to that."

Such tributes will likely have to wait until at least the end of the Lancashire seamer's international career. For now, the focus is on another hectic year for England which already includes 15 Tests and more to come. 

England touring party test negative for Covid-19 ahead of quarantine in Sri Lanka

It says plenty about the age and stage of Anderson's career that he appears calm about playing a bit-part role in 2021. Though one of six seamers picked for the Sri Lanka leg of this South Asian tour - India follow - he could end up watching as many Tests as he plays.

With a career average of 46.08 in Sri Lanka, there appears little sense in burning Anderson out before the higher-profile challenge of India (where his 26 wickets have come at 33.46). Rotating with fell old-stager Stuart Broad or asking him to have a brief on the sidelines amid temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

"We've got six quality seam bowlers here with us," he said. "Any of them could do a good job out here in Sri Lanka. With an eye on India as well what is the best preparation for each bowler going into those four Tests?

"Obviously spin has been a huge part of our success here. The wickets have really suited the spinners. We've got to be ready to put in a shift. Our job might be shorter spells and fewer overs in the day but there are still opportunities to take wickets."

^{Anderson has 12 wickets in six Tests in Sri Lanka}

The relentless calendar - accentuated by bio-secure bubbles - as much as conditions are likely to dictate selection over the next year, which also includes a T20 World Cup in India. Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer have opted to skip the Sri Lanka Tests to rest up and more concessions are likely.

"We've not got Jofra or Ben with us and that's likely to continue throughout this winter and into the summer," he added. "There is so much cricket, not just internationally but the domestic T20s that the guys play in. It's going to take its toll at some stage. We've got all these bubbles around the world. 

"It is something we'll see for the next few months and I imagine it'll continue into the winter as well. It's not just the amount of Test matches but they're in such quick succession it would be silly to think that bowlers will get through all six."

^{It might be that Anderson and Stuart Broad are split between the two Sri Lanka Tests in Galle}

It says plenty about Anderson's professionalism that he isn't wrapping himself in cotton wool ahead of the summer and the Ashes in Australia at the end of the year. Indeed, it is the luxury of having had the last five months on the sidelines that ensures he can travel to Asia hoping to play a full part.

"I wouldn't say (the Ashes) is burning bright at the minute because we've got 11 Test matches before that tour," he said, with a possible visit of New Zealand on top. "The focus is right now and Sri Lanka. I've got myself in really good shape. I'm in as good a shape now as I have been in my 30s, if not better. 

"I am going to try and help this team win Test matches throughout the winter, see where we are towards the end of the English summer and take it from there really. At the minute I'm feeling fantastic, we've had a lot of time off and that helps. I'm trying to focus on the here and now."