Anderson alleges 'northern bias' cost him vice-captaincy

London, Oct. 25 (ANI): England pacer Jimmy Anderson has alleged that a bias against his northern roots was the reason why he was overlooked for the job of England vice-captain.

"I am gutted I didn't get the vice-captaincy. Captaincy is something I'd like to do. But I'm a bowler and from the north as well so I am very unlikely to ever have had a look-in," News of the World quoted Anderson, as saying.

Public school educated Essex batsman Alastair Cook was chosen as Andrew Strauss's deputy for England's tour of South Africa.

In South Africa, England will play two Twenty20 games, four one-day internationals and four Tests against the world's top-ranked team.

Anderson is expecting a hostile reception in South Africa, as South African-raised stars Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott are in the squad.

"It's going to be very spicy and I'm sure it will be difficult for a couple of our guys who have had South African upbringings. They're going to have a lot of attention and get a lot of stick," he said.

Although England is being considered to be the weaker team with Andrew Flintoff retired and Pietersen struggling with an achilles problem, Anderson says they have enough quality to pull off a shock.

"Fred will be missed but we've won series in the past without him and we're confident we can do so again," he said. (ANI)