England’s veteran fast bowler James Anderson has revealed he wants to keep going in his career despite having a mundane Ashes series against Australia. With Anderson’s long time partner in crime, Stuart Broad calling it a day in Test cricket, many expected the senior player to follow suit.
However, Anderson has once again squashed any retirement rumors and said he is motivated to keep playing. The Lancashire pacer, who recently turned 41 on July 30, said he is bowling well despite poor results in the recently concluded Ashes.
Anderson could only manage five wickets in four Ashes Tests against the arch-rivals at a poor average of 85.40. The veteran failed to create any impact with the ball in the Ashes but has no immediate plans of hanging his boots.
“I’m even more firm that I want to keep going. My body is fine, my skills are fine, I’m bowling well enough – even though I’ve had a really disappointing by the standard I expect from myself,” Anderson told Sky Sports prior to the start of the final day’s play of Ashes 2023.
Anderson also revealed he was taken back by Stuart Broad’s surprising decision of retirement and added he will miss playing with the lanky paceman.
“I was a bit shocked when he [Broad] told me. We’ve love playing together; it’s been incredibly special and I’ll definitely miss him. I respect his decision. He seems very clear on what he wants to do, and yesterday morning was really special getting to walk out with him on the field and watching him hit his last ball in cricket for six,” he further added.
Meanwhile, Anderson will want to take a couple of months before he once again gets back to bowling. Anderson will want to be at his best for the forthcoming tour of India, where England will play five Test matches.
Anderson has taken 34 wickets from 13 Tests, with an average of 29.32 while playing in the tough Indian conditions.