England in New Zealand 2007-08

Larsen slams Anderson deal

Cricinfo staff

March 6, 2008

James Anderson playing for Auckland in the four-day match against Wellington has not been welcomed by Gavin Larsen, Wellington's chief executive.

Larsen told the Dominion Post newspaper that "it really hits me in the pit of my stomach ... to paint the worst-case scenario, James Anderson takes 7 for 30 against our boys, Auckland have bowled him into form and before you know it he's opening for England next Thursday here at the Basin [Reserve]."

Anderson was released by the England management to play for Auckland before returning to join the squad ahead of the second Test. Auckland were struggling because Kyle Mills and Chris Martin are playing in the Hamilton Test while Andre Adams and Daryl Tuffey have joined the unofficial Indian Cricket League.

Justin Vaughan, New Zealand Cricket's chief executive, was also unimpressed but admitted that the move was within the rules.

But former England captain Michael Atherton, working in New Zealand as a commentator for Sky Sports, said he thought Larsen's complaints were a bit rich "given the number of players who have benefited from playing in English domestic cricket".

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