England’s premier bowler James Anderson, who recently joined the 600 Test wicket club, has expressed that he is ready to do everything to maintain his spot in England team for the Ashes 2021.
The 38-year-old James Anderson’s age might be a blocking factor for him to progress but he has kept it aside. The pacer has worked on keeping his body fit and its result can also be seen on the field.
The veteran is the first-ever fast bowler in cricket history to touch 600 Test wickets mark. Overall, he is the fourth bowler to achieve this unique feat. The other three are spinners — Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, and Anil Kumble.
James Anderson improving his fitness:
James Anderson has played in four Ashes tours of Australia since he made Test debut in 2003. So far, he has featured in 156 Test matches. Now, the speedster’s eye to play for England in Australia. In the recent interaction, he has said that he would keep improving and stay fit to feature in the five-match Test series against Australia.
“I will be doing everything I can to be on that plane to Australia. I’m still hungry to take wickets, I still love playing the game, so I will keep trying to improve and stay fit,” he told ‘BBC Breakfast’.
James Anderson will examine his performance for the coming months to be fit for the most competitive Test series in the cricket world.
“If I can keep taking wickets in the coming months, then hopefully I will be on that plane,” the pacer said.
I’ve been really lucky I’ve got the body that I have: Anderson
Anderson finds himself lucky to have a good body shape which has helped him over the years to be consistent. He hopes that he remains injury-free before the Ashes next year.
“I’ve been really lucky I’ve got the body that I have. I’m very slight naturally which has helped. The bulkier guys do struggle with the forces that go through your body,” Anderson said.
“I do work hard in the gym to make my action as economical as possible so there’s not too much stress going through my body. Fingers crossed I stay injury-free and I can play a little bit longer,” he added.
Meanwhile, James Anderson completed his 600th Test wicket after taking the wicket of Pakistan captain Azhar Ali in the last Test match of the recently concluded series. He also registered the 29th Test fifer in that match. Eventually, England won the Test series against Pakistan at home.