Ashes 2019: James Anderson Hopeful for Edgbaston Test
Jul 21, 2019 at 12:22 PM
England fast bowler James Anderson is optimistic that he will be fit for the first Ashes 2019 Test which will begin on Thursday (August) at Edgbaston in Birmingham.
Pertinently, Anderson will turn 39 when Australia will host the next Ashes series in 2021-22. The prolific bowler maintained he is still proving himself while bowling
“I still love playing the game. If I’m still bowling well enough, hopefully I can play a couple more Ashes maybe,” Anderson told Sky Sports.
Also, the seamer expressed that he may perhaps partake in a couple of more Ashes campaigns against Australia.
The 36-year-old Burnley-born Anderson had picked a calf injury while representing Lancashire earlier this month. The star bowler is also hopeful that he will be fit to feature against Ireland at iconic Lord’s in the four-match series.
The One-off four-day Test will run between July 24 and 27.
Anderson sees Ashes triumphs as a ‘dream come true’:
Ahead of the Ireland Test, Anderson reiterated that he will evaluate his fitness before preparing for Lord’s Test.
Anderson asserted that if he would be given a green signal, then it will be a quite satisfying moment for him.
Also, he added that if he would not prove his fitness, then he is will try his best to be fit for the Birmingham Test.
“I am going to keep assessing my fitness over the weekend and then into Monday and Tuesday in our preparations days at Lord’s. If it comes to Monday and Tuesday and I am fit to play then great, if not then I’ll try and get fit for the first Ashes Test. I have been too busy trying to get fit for [this Ashes] to worry about any others,” he added.
The prominent bowler has made it clear that he wants to play as long as his body would allow him. He also admitted the fact that he is getting older, but he has enough fuel in his tank.
“A lot is going to be made of my age. Because it is a bit unusual for a bowler my age to still be playing international cricket but I still have the will. I want to play as long as possible,” Anderson further added.
Ashes mean a lot for England:
Interestingly, Anderson reminisced that he grew up when England did not win the Ashes. Now, as a player, he is thrilled to lay hands on the Urn in the past.
“I grew up in an era when we didn’t win the Ashes. So, to win it a few times as a player has been a dream come true. It still means a huge amount to us and Australia,” Anderson concluded.
He has been part of England’s Ashes victories in 2009, 2013 and 2015 respectively apart from a triumph in 2010-11.
So far, Anderson had clinched 575 scalps in 148 Tests since 2003.