Anderson and Broad not certainties for second South Africa Test, claims Silverwood

Coach Chris Silverwood is prepared to drop James Anderson or Stuart Broad if England needs to introduce a spinner for the second South Africa Test.

"In Jimmy (right) and Stuart we have a wealth of experience and we'd be really stupid not to take that into consideration every game," Silverwood told reporters.

England coach Chris Silverwood says he will have no issues dropping James Anderson or Stuart Broad for the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

Silverwood's side lost the first Test at Centurion by 107 runs, with the batsmen again failing to deliver as concerns over their suitability for the longest format once more came to the fore.

Anderson, featuring for the first time since the first Ashes Test in August, took a wicket with the match's first delivery and finished with figures of 2-116, while Broad finished on 5-100.

Though pleased with the experience and know-how his veteran pacemen provide, Silverwood – who elected not to go with a spinner at Centurion – insisted neither are certainties to play with Sam Curran and Jofra Archer impressing.

"In Jimmy and Stuart we have a wealth of experience and we'd be really stupid not to take that into consideration every game," Silverwood told reporters.

"It would be naive of us not to do that. But equally you do want your youngsters to come through and if we're going to make room for a spinner then we've got to have a look at that.

"We have to look at which seamers will be right for that particular pitch and choose from there. If there is a big decision to be made, we're not afraid to make it.

"We started off planning to bowl at the top of off [stump] on the third morning. Then the tailenders frustrated us and we went off-piste a bit at that point.

"We formulated a new plan and that worked well. We've got to make sure that when we're bowling we're very clear on what we have to do and we stick to the plan."

Silverwood also pledged to stand by Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler, who have both struggled for Test runs this year.

"We've just got to keep backing them as we know they're both very fine players," Silverwood said. "They're an asset to a team.

"Jonny wasn't in the team going into New Zealand, but he did a lot of work behind the scenes.

"He was in Potchefstroom and then Cape Town with the fast-bowling group, facing the bowlers and working on his game. He worked particularly hard and earned his way back into this team.

"We know Jos is a fine player and we know he can hurt people. We've got to keep giving him the opportunity to do that."