England’s Stuart Broad insists the injured James Anderson’s international career is not over.

Anderson bowled a mere four overs in the first Test of the ongoing Ashes series before being ruled out of the second and third with a calf injury. He was later sidelined from the entire five-match series.

Whether Anderson is fit enough to be selected for the upcoming tours of New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka remains in the balance.

‘James has a lot of cricket left in him. From the conversations I’ve had with him, he’s looking at the winter and getting fit and wanting to be on that trip,’ said Broad.

‘I called him straight away when I heard the news on social media. He said, “I just need to get it right for the winter tours now.”

‘He’s obviously very disappointed. He’s put his heart and soul into getting back to full fitness. He’s done everything he possibly could.

‘So, he’s frustrated. He’s going to have a period of time of ifs and buts – what if I’d done this; could I have done that – but also it’s important for him to have a bit of a break and look forward to future challenges. I think he’s realistic.’

Anderson is England’s leading Test wicket-taker with 575 in 149 matches. Broad is the country’s second-highest wicket-taker with 458 in 130. Both will be key to England’s bid to win the newly introduced Test Championship.

‘It’s quite exciting with this World Test Championship. It doesn’t feel like the Ashes series is the new cycle anymore, it feels like that World Test Championship final is the new cycle. I know a few of the older players are looking more towards that than an Ashes series,’ added Broad.

Photo: Getty Images