Anderson prays his Test career's not over

Jimmy Anderson admits he's "praying" his record-breaking England career isn't over following his controversial omission from the upcoming Test tour of the West Indies.

Anderson and Stuart Broad, placed first and second in the list of England's all-time leading Test wicket-takers, both found themselves surplus to requirements for next month's three-match series in the Caribbean.

The decision, made by a selection panel headed up by interim director of cricket Sir Andrew Strauss, bemused many and Broad revealed in his newspaper column that he struggled to sleep in the days afterwards.

But Anderson, who like Broad hit out at having just a short telephone conversation with Strauss explaining his exclusion from the tour, insisted he had no thought of retirement despite turning 40 this July.

"It's been a weird couple of weeks," Anderson said on the BBC Tailenders podcast.

"I've just been trying to process what's gone on. Obviously, it was a bit of a shock and a disappointment to get that call to say I am not going.

"There's been quite a few texts between myself and Broady in particular, getting some initial frustration and anger out but I think once that was gone, it's really now trying to look to stuff we can affect.

"I still feel like I've got the hunger and passion to play. I feel in great shape, I just want to keep bowling.

"I'm praying this isn't the end but if I never play for England again, I know I've got amazing people around me to support me. I've now got to try to focus on stuff that I can control and that's playing cricket."

Anderson's average of 23.37 in this winter's Ashes was the lowest of all England's bowlers and while he has amassed 640 wickets at 26.58 in a Test career approaching 19 years, Anderson pointed