James Bracey revels in surviving James Anderson onslaught: "It was nice to be able to combat one of the world's best"

The Gloucestershire batsman made an impressive 85 on day one of the intra-squad clash at The Ageas Bowl to boost hopes of a Test call-up

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James Bracey believes the manner in which he fended off James Anderson on day one of the intra-squad match at The Ageas Bowl has swelled his reputation in the eyes of the England selectors ahead of the West Indies Test series.

The Gloucestershire batsman top score with 85 in Southampton in a contest between teams captained by Ben Stokes and Joe Buttler which will shape selection for the first part of the summer.

Though the 23-year-old had avoided facing Anderson - as well as Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer - in the nets prior to the match he came face-to-face with England's all-time leading wicket-taker and more than held his own.

The Lancashire seamer took the ball for the first time since suffering a rib injury in the Cape Town Test in January and finished the day with 18-3-49-2, but he was unable to ruffle Bracey's feathers.

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"I'm delighted obviously with today," said Bracey, who put on 98 for the second wicket with Joe Denly. "It was a great opportunity to get out there with the new ball and show what I've got. I've not opened the batting a huge amount in the last couple of years. 

"I've been around that top but a lot of people wouldn't have seen me as playing that role so it was really nice to repay some faith and show them that I've got the capacity to do that job.

"[I had] a long spell first up from Jimmy and through the middle as well. It was nice to be able to combat one of the world's best and know that I've got the capabilities to get through those tough periods.

"I hope today would help my cause but obviously there is a lot of competition. Other guys played well today as well. Joe and Dan both got in as well and showed some good stuff. I'm not getting too ahead of myself. It would be nice to be included at some point but I'm just going to keep working hard and I might feature."

^{James Anderson got through 18 overs on his return}

Bracey's stand eventually came to an end when he feathered an edge down the leg side and into the gloves of Ben Foakes. And the left-hander admits he had one eye on what would have been a fine century.

"You always wonder," he added. "It creeps into your brain. It didn't have too much of an effect. It would have been really nice to go on and get three figures. 

"But if you had said to me I'd get 85 and I'd put on a good show I'd have been really happy with myself. I'm trying to look on the positive side of it.

"Hopefully that is something for later this summer fingers crossed but obviously a disappointing way to get out."

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