James Anderson urges Test improvement after South Africa win
Friday 8 April 2016 17:07, UK
James Anderson has urged England to build on their winter series win in South Africa when Test action resumes this summer.
England won the four-Test series 2-1 to move to fifth in the ICC Test world rankings.
The national side's next two assignments see them play Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and Anderson - who is scheduled to play the first three games of the county championship season for Lancashire - says it is vital England build on their winter success.
"Our Test form has been a bit inconsistent so it was nice to get a series win out in South Africa against the number one team in the world," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
This summer it's important for us not to rest on the success of that tour, we've got to keep improving.
"This summer it's important for us not to rest on the success of that tour, we've got to keep improving.
"We've got two strong Test teams in Sri Lanka and Pakistan coming up and we need to keep improving and get some good results against them."
Anderson's presence in the Lancashire squad for their first three fixtures has been described as "a massive boost" to the team by captain Steven Croft, and the seamer is happy to be on board for an extended period of time.
"It can be difficult coming in just for the odd game so it's going to be nice to be around the squad for a little bit and to feel like a full member of the squad," Anderson said.
Cricket Classics
"I'm really looking forward to the first few games and hopefully we can get off to a good start.
"Since we won the County Championship in 2011 our four-day form has been a bit inconsistent and we've been up and down.
"So we've got to try to stay in division one for a few years and set a foundation to build on."
Anderson will turn 34 this summer but he is keen to play on for as long as he is physically possible.
"The way I feel at the moment I feel fit and fresh and I'll try to stay on the park for as long as possible," he said.
"I've just got to keep taking wickets and as long as I'm doing that I'll keep playing as long as my body allows."
