James Anderson says it's 'nice to hear there's a chance' of returning to England set up

James Anderson and Stuart Broad are England's all-time leading Test wicket takers with 1,177 wickets between them.

However, they were omitted from England's most recent tour to the West Indies - a series which they lost 1-0.

It was the first tour since their 4-0 humiliation to Australia in the Ashes and under Joe Root, it was an attempt to go for a new look side.

Leaving Anderson and Broad out was deemed as controversial though and at times, they were in desperate need of at least one of them in the team.

Anderson was left disappointed while Broad revealed he only had a five minute conversation on the phone about being dropped.

Ben Stokes has since been appointed Test captain, replacing Joe Root in the role and he wants the pair back in the squad.

Anderson admitted he is relieved about the news and is now just focused on performing with Lancashire to ensure he is selected.

"Stuart and I were hoping our careers weren't over. So it's nice to hear there's a chance," Anderson told the BBC.

"It still means we've got to put in some performances here with our counties to prove that we're playing well enough to get in that final 11.

"Because of the situation and not having people in these roles, you're just so unsure of what's going to happen. So now having that clarity is really nice."

Stokes' first series as skipper will be a two-match home series in June against New Zealand.

On the chances of Anderson and Broad playing a part, Rob Key told Sky Sports News: "Yeah, they will.

"Before it got announced I was doing this job, I rang them up and said to both of them that - in my opinion - you're both available for selection.

"'I can't promise you you're going to play, all that type of stuff, you're just available for selection'. Then Ben Stokes was very clear on the fact he wants Jimmy and Broady to come back in.

"Now, it will be purely be done on what is the best eleven to win that first Test match, nothing more and nothing less. If they're in that, which is every chance they will be because they're two great bowlers, then they'll play."

Key added: "They just want to continue on this journey they've been on [with England]. They didn't want it to finish in the way that it possibly might have done. They were obviously both very happy to be up for selection for that first Test match."

Anderson is looking back to his best in Division One's County Championship and took six wickets in his most recent match against Hampshire.