Recently, James Anderson has been ruled out of The Ashes after the recurrence of a calf pain during a 4-day friendly against Durham for Lancashire’s second XI. Anderson, the most successful pacer in Test history, played the first Test but managed to bowl only 4 overs before he was sidelined with an old calf problem. However, he wants to take Ryan Giggs as an inspiration to make a comeback.
Anderson stepped up his recovery by playing for his county’s second XI side in the lead up to the fourth Test at his home ground Old Trafford but was unable to fully overcome the calf injury as he was ruled out for the entire series.
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In Anderson’s absence, Jofra Archer made a huge impact with his blistering pace. The fast bowling duties will now be shared by Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer, Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes. The young Craig Overton also did a decent job for the team with his bounce.
I have no thoughts of retiring – James Anderson
Meanwhile, Anderson, 37, England’s leading Test wicket-taker, who is currently recovering from the injury is targetting the New Zealand Tests. And also, he is aiming to draw inspiration from none other than football legend Ryan Giggs.
“It has been absolutely devastating to miss The Ashes series but I have not thought for one second about retiring. In fact, I’m going to look into how Ryan Giggs was able to play football at the highest level until he was 40. That’s what I’d like to do,” Anderson wrote in his column for The Sun.
“I am meeting the physios and medical people this week to map out a programme to try to make sure I’m fit for the tour to New Zealand. The Test squad leaves on November 6. I’m 37 now, and it definitely feels possible to play until I’m 40, if the hunger is still there. And it certainly is at the moment.”
England will next face New Zealand away in a two-Test series where most of the front line players are expected to play, especially after the Ashes debacle. It would be interesting to see whether James Anderson can survive in the game till 40, especially, with the regular increase in the injury list.