James Anderson anxious as COVID-19 pandemic threatens season prospects

The government has advised against mass gatherings in the UK, effectively cancelling all sporting events for the foreseeable future

James Anderson has admitted that the coronavirus outbreak has left him “a little bit anxious” and “hazy”, with the global crisis landing ahead of the start of the English summer.

Measures related to domestic and international cricket have not yet been confirmed or announced but the ECB and the 18 counties will meet on Thursday to discuss contingency plans, should the County Championship campaign be unable to begin as scheduled on April 12.

The government has advised against mass gatherings in the UK, effectively cancelling all sporting events for the foreseeable future.

Anything to emerge from the meeting on Thursday will have to be passed through the ECB board before being ratified. All options are reportedly being looked at, with large-scale postponements and the prospect of games being played behind closed doors among them.

“Cricket and sport is not the be all and end all but it is my livelihood, it's all I know," Anderson told the Tailenders podcast. “There's a chance we might not even bowl a ball this summer. The season is unlikely to start. It's still a little bit hazy as to what's going to happen.

“I feel a little bit anxious. Just the not knowing is giving me a bit of anxiety. Also trying to keep a young family healthy. I am trying to stay calm, follow the guidelines.

“My wife's mum and dad live in Spain so they are in lockdown. They are in the age group where there are concerns. The anxiety is building up in our house because of not knowing what will happen in the next few months.”

How county pre-season plans have been affected by COVID-19

Anderson, who is 16 wickets short of reaching the 600 mark in Tests, was left out of England’s squad for their tour of Sri Lanka, which was ultimately postponed midway through Joe Root’s side’s second warmup game.

Since they returned, Alex Hales has been forced to self-isolate after coming down with symptoms after returning from the Pakistan Super League.

Every county that went abroad on a pre-season trip was also affected, with all 17 coming home early. Only Nottinghamshire, who remained in the UK, were untroubled; however, they pulled out of a warmup match against Northants, who spent their pre-season in Singapore.

On Wednesday morning, Middlesex and Kent announced that they were cancelling a pre-season friendly planned for March 26 at Merchant Taylors’ School.