Anderson has no thoughts of retirement ahead of huge summer
England and Lancashire bowler James Anderson says he has no plans to stop playing cricket anytime soon.
Anderson continues to be a mainstay in England’s Test side and he is the fourth highest wicket-taker of all time in the longest format of the game with 575 scalps, behind only spinners Muttiah Muralitharan (800), Shane Warne (708) and Anil Kumble (619).
The Burnley-born star is set to play a huge part in the Ashes, with the first Test getting under way at Edgbaston on August 1, as the hosts look to reclaim the urn from Australia’s grasp.
Anderson turns 37 on July 30, two days before the opener in Birmingham, but he insists he has no thoughts of retiring right now and is feeling the best he has for some time.
“I feel as good as I ever have,” he told Sky Sports. “With me not playing one-day cricket over the last few years, it gives me that extra time to work on my fitness and stay fresh. I never really look too far ahead but I have no plans to finish up anytime soon.
“I will take it series by series and see what happens.”
Anderson hasn’t played one-day cricket for England since the 2015 World Cup but has continued to set new standards in Test cricket, taking 232 wickets at a remarkable 21.41 since the start of the 2014 summer.
Last year he went past Glenn McGrath as the leading Test wicket-taker among seam bowlers and is set to win his 150th cap – the first specialist bowler to reach that landmark – during the Ashes.
Latest
-
FeaturesArbitrary Ashes numbers: 2.1million, 0, 37.6% and 350
As cricket fans we’ve been bombarded by averages, over rates and bowling speeds this summer. Here are some of the lesser talked of numbers..
-
EnglandRoot: England must be ‘careful’ with ‘special’ talent Archer
Joe Root knows England have “something special” in Jofra Archer but says England must manage their expectations of their star man
-
The Ridiculous AshesLiebke and Bowden’s Ridiculous Ashes – Fifth Test: Mitch Marsh, No Balls, Steve Smith’s Human Frailty
The Ridiculous Ashes final result is in, featuring a Mitchell Marsh five-fer and Jonny Bairstow’s shithousery
-
The 2019 AshesPaine happy to set aside rivalry with post-Ashes beer
Australia captain Tim Paine was happy to share a beer with England’s players after a fiercely-contested Ashes series ended level at 2-2.
-
AustraliaBayliss admits Australia would tempt him back to international cricket
Outgoing England coach Trevor Bayliss admits taking charge of Australia would tempt him back into international cricket
-
AustraliaSteve Smith, Tim Paine quantify Australia’s Ashes achievement
We suspect both England and Australia got what they really came for this summer.
-
The 2019 AshesJoe Root, Ben Stokes reflect on bittersweet England victory at the Oval
Calls for a super over to decide the Ashes have sadly been ignored.
-
FeaturesEngland conclude a historic summer’s cricket with the future bright
A truly remarkable summer for English cricket concluded at the Oval.
-
IndiaFirst T20I between India and South Africa abandoned without a ball bowled
Water fell from the sky in large quantities.
-
The 2019 AshesThe Official Cricket365 2019 Ashes Combined XI
Have we picked Steve Smith? You’ll have to click to find out.