James Anderson ‘praying’ his England career is not over after being dropped for West Indies tour

James Anderson says he is ‘praying’ that his England career is not over after being left out of the squad for next month’s tour to West Indies.

England record wicket-taker Anderson and long-time bowling partner Stuart Broad were both dropped from the Test squad following this winter’s Ashes defeat to Australia.

Anderson, who produced the best bowling average of all of England’s players in Australia, insists it has taken him a while to process the decision.

‘I’m praying this isn’t the end,’ Anderson, who has taken 640 wickets in 169 Tests, said on the BBC Tailenders podcast.

‘But if I never play for England again, I know I’ve got amazing people around me to support me and that’s really important.’

Anderson says ‘another frustration’ was that he was told he was dropped in a ‘five-minute phone call’ with England interim director of cricket Sir Andrew Strauss.

Broad vented his frustration at a similar scenario when he broke his silence on being dropped in an emotional column for the Daily Mail.

Like Broad, Anderson is desperate to regain his place in the England team this summer and will feature for Lancashire when the County Championship starts in April.

‘I’ve got one more go at digging deep,’ Anderson said. ‘I’ve got a lot left to offer – I’ve still got the hunger and passion to play.

‘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.’

Strauss insisted the door was not closed for Anderson and Broad when England named their 16-man touring party for the West Indies.

Anderson hopes Strauss’ replacement and the next England head coach – Chris Silverwood was sacked in the aftermath of the Ashes