New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson to focus on white-ball cricket ahead of 2019 World Cup

New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson has decided to entirely focus on white-ball cricket ahead of the 2019 World Cup, which is less than eight months away. Anderson has opted out of the first-class format for the coming season. He was last part of the Kiwi Test squad in February 2016, and last played a first-class match in April this year.

Corey Anderson will soon leave with the New Zealand A squad for the UAE, where they are scheduled to play Pakistan A. This will be an opportunity for the big all-rounder to make a direct comeback into the Blackcaps limited-overs squad since the selectors had decided to keep two open slots in the national side. These will be filled based on performances by NZ ‘A’ players in the upcoming series.

Speaking to stuff.co.nz, the 27-year old said, “I got a taste of [the World Cup] here four years ago and it was unbelievable. To try and give myself a chance to be involved in that again, that’s the driving force.

“I really want to be in that side. I want to be in there right now. There’s still that dream and still that goal. I think it’s probably just making sure I’m doing it the right way as well. Trying to earn [my place] back and earn the right to be in the side. Performing at that level is the next biggest thing you have to try and achieve.”

Corey’s successful Vitality Blast stint

Anderson recently returned from England after a T20 stint with Somerset. He played as many as 16 T20 matches in the T20 Blast and amassed 514 runs. The left-hander has had several recurring issues with his back, which has hindered his international career. He last represented New Zealand in an ODI in the Champions Trophy in 2017 before undergoing a back surgery in September that year.

“It’s the first time I’ve got to the top of my mark and not had to be worried about if I was going to be sore or hurting in any different area,” he said. “It’s given me that little bit of love back in the game, which you tend to lose sometimes when you get bummed out with injuries. It’s nice to feel like I’ve got my body back and I can get stuck into it,” he said.

“Although the surgery was 12 months ago, it’s probably just being cautious around those things. I had my 12-month scan last week to make sure everything was great and I got the all-clear to say everything was spick and span. To have everything back and heading in the right direction gives your psyche a massive boost,” he added.

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