James Anderson, England fast bowler, and the leading wicket-taker among fast bowlers in the history of the game has said that he has no intention of calling it a day, reiterating his desire to play in the 2022 Ashes in Australia.
Anderson has bowled well this season but the wickets seem to have alluded him. The 38-year-old has managed just six wickets in the three-Test matches that he has played this summer at an average of 41.16
His returns and the form of Chris Woakes, who starred with both bat and ball in England’s three-wicket in the Old Trafford Test had prompted speculations about the powers of the champion fast bower being at wane and that he could consider calling it a day at the end of the English summer. Anderson, however, shrugged off all those speculations, adding that he is looking forward to work as hard as he can and show people that he’s still got it to perform at the Test level.
He, however, admitted of being ‘frustrated’ and ’emotional’ for the first time in about ten years during the last Test where he registered figures of 1-97.
”No, absolutely not. Yeah, its been a frustrating week for me. I haven’t bowled very well, and probably for the first time in about ten years, I have got a little bit emotional on the field, start getting frustrated, let that get to me. Probably reminded me of the first time when I started playing, when you start getting angry and frustrated, you start bowling quicker and quicker and it obviously does not help,” James Anderson said in a virtual press conference on Monday.
”For me, it’s all about getting to Southampton and work really hard over the next couple of days and try and figure out and sort out. Hopefully, I get a nod for the 2nd Test and I can try and show people I have still got what it takes to play Test cricket,It’s always important. I have always never count my chickens, I have never thought I will play the next game, I have always worked hard whether it was when I was at the peak of my powers or when I started. I think having the attitude of trying to work hard in practice to keep improving and then playing well in the actual match itself, is what I have always tried to do, something that will never change. Selection is not my hands, I have to keep working hard,” he added.
‘Coming into the game, I felt good’- James Anderson
Anderson added that he actually felt coming into the first Test against Pakistan, claiming that he didn’t feel that he bowled badly against the West Indies. He, however, admitted that his rhythm ‘wasn’t quite there’ in the opening Test at Old Trafford.
“I think also I didn’t feel like I bowled poorly in the West Indies series. I felt good with the way the ball was coming out, and don’t think too much changes with one bad game. Everyone has a bad game, I’m sure I will have more bad games. It’s trying to keep a positive mental attitude, focus on the next game, put everything else behind. When you play well you can’t dwell on that either, you have to put it behind and focus on what’s coming up.” James Anderson said.
”To be honest, coming into this game I felt good, but during the game, there was something off – the rhythm wasn’t quite there. As I went through the game I just tried to start bowling quicker, run in faster, bowled a couple of no-balls which isn’t like me really. It felt like I was trying a bit too hard,” Anderson added.
The champion fast bowler revealed that he has been working with Chris Silverwood and Pop Welch about some basics with regards to his action and is hopeful that the captain and coach will keep faith in him for the next game.
“I was chatting to Chris Silverwood and Pop Welch about some basics, making sure my action is where I want it to be and finding that timing. Hopefully I can continue this week and keep my fingers crossed that the captain and coach keep faith with me for the next game,” he added.
The 2nd Test between England and Pakistan will kickstart at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton from August 13.