Last updated on .From the section Cricket

Anderson 'hopes and prays there is enough love for Test cricket'

England bowler James Anderson says he is "worried" about the future of Test cricket after three internationals signed limited-overs-only contracts.

Adil Rashid,Alex Hales and Reece Topley said last month they would not play first-class cricket.

Anderson is concerned the money on offer in lucrative Twenty20 leagues will encourage younger players to follow suit.

"I just pray there is enough love for Test cricket out there," he said.

England's all-time leading Test wicket-taker added: "With the way cricket is going and the amount of Twenty20 cricket around the world, there is that worry that more and more people will start doing it."

The white-ball game is becoming increasingly popular among players because of the often huge contracts on offer playing for franchises in the Indian Premier League and Australia's Big Bash League.

Leg-spinner Rashid will play only limited-overs cricket for Yorkshire this year, while opener Hales has signed a limited-overs deal with Nottinghamshire for the next two seasons.

Hampshire pace bowler Topley has made the decision as part of his rehabilitation from a recurrence of a stress fracture in his back last summer.

Anderson says Test cricket is adapting with the introduction of pink-ball cricket and day-night Tests, but fears it will not be enough to attract some players in future.

"The next generation of players coming through might see that as a way to go if they want to find a career in cricket," added Anderson, who made his Test debut in 2003 and is fifth on the all-time wicket-takers list with 523.

"It's a lot less hours on the field playing, it's a lot easier on the body and the mind, and it potentially could be more [lucrative] in terms of the money they can make around the world."

England beat New Zealand by six wickets on Wednesday to level the one-day series at 1-1 following a three-wicket defeat in the series opener in Hamilton.

Anderson is keen to see the one-day side's positive mentality translate into England's Test cricket following their 4-0 Ashes defeat by Australia.

"We want to try and play with the positivity the one-day side play with," he said.

"In Test cricket, that can be difficult. We want to put the opposition under pressure whenever we get the chance."