Star England pacer James Anderson has been phenomenal throughout his career. Currently, he is leading the English pace attack against Australia in the Ashes 2023. However, Anderson has failed to impress with his bowling, while others are doing well. This has led to speculation about his Test retirement. Meanwhile, the 41-year-old pacer has spoken about his future plans and has refused to retire in the upcoming months.
Anderson admitted that in the past, his behaviour would have led to talks about his dismissal, but now the focus is on his future. The 41-year-old also revealed his continuous discussions with the coach and captain, who have shown a desire to keep him on the team as long as he stays eager and dedicated to the game. Anderson stated that he still enjoys Test cricket as much as ever and that retirement is not on his mind.
“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 a Telegraph column.
“10 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, I will keep trying to give my best for the team. That is exactly where I am at the moment,”, he further added.
“There are no thoughts about retirement”, says James Anderson
Further speaking about his future plans for the last 14 months with England, Anderson said that it was best. “There are no thoughts about retirement,” Anderson wrote. “If I was bowling horrendously, with my pace down, and hobbling around in the field, I might be thinking differently. But the hunger is still there. I feel like I’m bowling well and that I can still offer something to the team. I felt like I bowled well at Old Trafford, and if I get another chance this week, I will just keep trying the same stuff and hope my luck changes.”
“It is just one of those things. There are always one or two players who have a lean series. It can be a batter who gets good balls and then has a bit of bad luck. It felt like that was my week in Manchester. I felt like I beat the bat plenty of times, but I just didn’t take the wickets that you want as a bowler to help the team win. There were a couple of times when I bowled a tight five-over spell, and then Woody [Mark Wood] came on and took a wicket straightaway. It feels like maybe I created the pressure, and then Woody came on and let loose. It’s teamwork.”
It’s worth noting that Australia has retained the Ashes 2023 trophy after leading 2-1 in the ongoing series. The final match of the series will be played at The Oval on July 27. Anderson said that he is available for the game, and it is up to team management to field him in the final game.
Here is how fans reacted to James Anderson’s comments:
Bad Luck for Anderson as not many test matches are scheduled for England in upcoming 6-8 months.
— The Contest Guy (@BoliMocr) July 26, 2023
if he is fit why to retire
— M.furqan (@Brownguy96) July 26, 2023
Hopefully he'll get some bowling friendly pitches instead of flat highways. If he stays fit and get good conditions, he can Play 20 more test matches and become first bowler to do so and break the record of Shane Warne.
— Nikhil Sehdev (@Nikhil_sehdev12) July 26, 2023
England have usually confirmed their XI 48 hours out from the test matches this series. The fact they haven’t yet named their XI and it’s the day before the final test starts, suggests they’re seriously thinking about leaving Jimmy out.
— Arkers (@Thelandofark) July 26, 2023
England fans should bring "Thank You, Jimmy" play cards to the grounds. That's the only way to send him a message.
— Jeffrey (@0217_watson) July 26, 2023
People need to stop asking players whether they are retiring just when they reach 30's or 40's.. :/
— BNB ? Guy. (@bnbgooy) July 26, 2023
Well then the England board should be sacking him, he should not be playing if he can't bowl well.
— Nilesh Pandit (@nileshp1981) July 26, 2023
Ben confirm he is thinking about taking #ikmkb to another level
— Ben Tennyson (@cricket_all_day) July 26, 2023
Ye sachin ka 200 match wala record todega
Aur phir retirement lega— Raunak SinghVK18 (@Rajendr03081969) July 26, 2023
Untill he surpasses warne's record
— J (@joe_bala) July 26, 2023
So England will start thinking about it now if he won't.
— Rishav Baghel (@ImRcbians) July 26, 2023
But stokes is thinking about his retirement by not selecting him ??
— ???? (@abxdalt) July 26, 2023
Year 2060:- Jimmy Anderson confirms he isn't thinking about retirement.
— aman • (@6o4AM) July 26, 2023
Bumrah have some shame man
— Saud Shakeel (@Saudshak1) July 26, 2023
Sorry I read MS Dhoni
— NIKHIL (@nikhil_nsu) July 26, 2023
Same Vibes pic.twitter.com/SsuqyFr5FC
— Modern Day Bhoot (MDB) ???? (@BhootMDB666) July 26, 2023
Thinking about breaking Sachin's record
— AMAN SINGH BISHT (@amansb19) July 26, 2023
And he would never
— Kandregula Pranav Sashank (@pranav_sashank) July 26, 2023
