England speedster James Anderson gave a massive update on his retirement plans ahead of the Test series against India. He said no thoughts have crossed his mind and he still feels like he has a lot to offer the team.
James Anderson is aging like a fine wine. The pacer, even at 40, runs a lot and performs consistently for the team. In the era of white-ball cricket, the fast bowler is trying his best to prolong his Test career.
Since Stuart Broad announced his retirement from Test, there has also been a lot of speculation about James Anderson’s retirement. Many believe that the pacer will also hang up his boots soon. However, the fast bowler has no intention of doing so.
James Anderson has been included in the England squad for the five-match Test series against India. Despite being 41 years old, he is still the team’s main bowler and will undoubtedly be crucial for his team in Indian conditions.
When asked about his retirement plans, James Anderson said he still has the skills to win matches for England. He believes that age is just a number and doesn’t understand why he should retire because of his age. Speaking to the Telegraph, he explained:
“It sounds brutal, but we have to keep going. No thoughts about ending have crossed my mind. A lot of people come up to me to congratulate me on a great race, but I still have to explain that it was Stuart, not me. I still feel like I have a lot to offer this team. I wouldn’t still be doing what I’m doing if I didn’t feel that way.
“I still feel like I have the skills to win cricket matches in England, so as long as I feel that way, I don’t see why it should end just because of my age. In the training I’ve done this winter, I feel like age is just a number. “Cricket is a numbers game and people always look at my age when it appears on the screen when I come in to bowl, but for me it is irrelevant.”
IND vs ENG: I feel like the last 5-6 years have been the best of my career – James Anderson
James Anderson added that he still feels like he can dive and cast spells like he did throughout his career. He made a big statement, saying that the last 5-6 overs have been the best.
He added that although he didn’t have a great Ashes 2023, he has worked hard enough to ensure he doesn’t have a lean series again. He added:
“That’s how you feel as a cricketer and I know I can still dive into the field and make a move with the ball like I have done for the last 20 years. I feel like the last 5 or 6 years have been the best of my career.
“Although The Ashes didn’t go as well as I wanted, there have been many series where I haven’t bowled well throughout my career and it’s just a matter of working hard to make sure it doesn’t happen again. .”
The Test series between India and England will be played from January 25. It remains to be seen whether James Anderson plays all five games or not.