- 'There is a slight worry about domestic T20 competitions doing so well. But speak to players and there is a still a passion to play Test cricket. It's a real test of someone's character and skill. It still excites me. I love it.'
England pace spearhead James Anderson revealed he is not keen to participate in domestic Twenty20 leagues like the Indian Premier League, saying that whatever he has left in his career is dedicated to playing Test cricket for his country.
"My heart is with playing Test cricket for England," said Anderson, who missed the first Test against South Africa in Durban with a calf injury.
"So that is what I'll concentrate on doing for the foreseeable future."
Anderson, who is England's highest wicket taker in Test cricket with 427 wickets in 111 matches, said he is focused and committed to the national colours in the coming season featuring a daunting 17-Test schedule for England.
"There is a slight worry about domestic T20 competitions doing so well. But speak to players and there is a still a passion to play Test cricket. It's a real test of someone's character and skill. It still excites me. I love it. I prioritise it in my head and my heart," Anderson was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
"I'm not the only person who feels like that in the world. Hopefully it's not just players but fans too, but we need people to keep supporting the (Test) game so that it does flourish. Seventeen Tests in a year is a huge challenge, but I get excited about it and I look forward to it."
The 33-year-old right-arm fast bowler will be entering his 14th year in international cricket, and at this stage of his career playing Test cricket for the national team is more important for him than anything else.
"At the moment, where I am at this stage of my career, I want to make sure I'm in good nick to play Test match cricket for England. A couple of months off won't be a bad thing. I'll make sure I come back for Lancashire at the start of the season and get ready for the Test matches at the start of the summer. That's where my head is at," Anderson said.
