Written by Vaibhav Tripathi
James Anderson, the veteran England pacer, has quashed retirement talks while expressing his excitement for the upcoming fifth Ashes Test. The 40-year-old still relishes bowling and maintains a strong desire for success on the cricket field as he said he feels he is still bowling well despite an underwhelming Ashes series so far.
Having taken 689 Test wickets, Anderson has carved his status as one of the all-time greats in the format. With 182 Test appearances for the national side, he continues to be a valuable asset. However, his form in the Ashes series has been a concern for the team management.
“I still feel like I’m bowling well. I have certainly not had the returns I would have liked in this series. Everyone goes through a lean patch but you just don’t want it to be in the most high-profile series we play,” Anderson wrote in his column for The Telegraph.
“Ten or 15 years ago the debate would be about whether I should be dropped. Now it is about my future. I understand that. It is The Oval, the end of a series and a time for speculation.
“I keep talking to the coach and captain. They want me around, so as long as I am still hungry, and want to put in the work then I will keep trying to give my best for the team. That is exactly where I am at the minute,” Anderson added in his column.
Although he has managed only four wickets in the ongoing series with a relatively high bowling average of 76.75, Anderson has managed to retain his place in the squad for the fifth and final Test at The Oval, starting July 27.