James Anderson eyeing Ashes tour with no talk of retirement

Fresh from reaching 600 Test wickets, James Anderson stated he is set to continue through to the 2021/22 Ashes tour.

Anderson became the first quick and fourth bowler overall to reach the milestone on the final day of Test cricket this summer, as England and Pakistan drew the third Test to allow the hosts to take the series 1-0. The wicket – opposition captain Azhar Ali edging to Joe Root – was the first dismissal of the day and the 38-year-old’s seventh in the match.

England went into this summer looking to future proof their attack for Australian pitches, promising to give experience to Jofra Archer, Mark Wood and Olly Stone with a view to cranking things up next winter for the five-Test series. However this summer those trio of quicks have played just five Tests between them – Stone did not appear at all due to injury. As a result, Root lent on the tried-and-tested experience of Anderson and Stuart Broad, with the pair accounting for 49 dismissals between them.

Anderson, who will be 39 when England tour Australia next year, where they aim to do as they did in 2010/11 and record an overseas Ashes win, revealed his captain has asked him to make the trip, skewering talk he may not make it that far.

“I’ve chatted to Rooty about this a little bit and he said he would like me to be in Australia,” said Anderson. “I don’t see any reason why I can’t be. I’m working hard at my fitness all the time, I’m working hard at my game. I didn’t bowl as well as I liked for the whole summer but this Test I felt like I was really on it. I feel like I’ve still got stuff to offer this team and as long as I feel like that I’ll keep going.

“There will be decisions along the way with the selectors, coach and captain about how the team moves forward. But as long as they want me around I’ll keep working hard and try and prove that I’m good enough to play in this team.

“There are still Test matches to win. That’s all I’m interested in at the minute. I still love turning up everyday, training, putting in the hard yards, being in the dressing room with the lads, putting the yards in the game as well and trying to forge a win for England. That’s all I’ve really been bothered about and that’s what I keep trying to do. I don’t think I’ve won my last Test match as an England cricketer.”

While backing him behind the scenes, Root also used his post-match press conference to laud Anderson’s contribution, not just in this first series win over Pakistan since 2010, but also during his time as captain and beyond. Under his captaincy, Anderson has taken 130 wickets at an average of 20.49.

“There’s no one that can touch him really,” said Root. “He’s that far ahead of everyone else in my opinion, it’s incredible what he’s done so far in the game and he’s much more than just the wickets that you see on the telly. He’s a brilliant senior player, adds a lot to the dressing room and with the young bowlers as well – you couldn’t ask for a better role model and someone to learn off. So couldn’t be happier for him.”

Though the last 100 dismissals have come at an average of 22, it has not all been plain sailing. Injuries have seen Anderson miss six Tests since the start of the 2019 summer, and he struggled to impose himself at times this summer.

He returned just five wickets in the second and third Tests against West Indies, and began this three-match series against Pakistan with match figures of one for 97. But a renewed drive saw Anderson take 10 in his last two Tests of 2020 to quell any talk that he might be a spent force. Even with the boost of a 20th five-wicket haul in the first innings here, and history made in the second, he cedes things have been tougher than usual.

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“In the last few weeks I’ve struggled a little bit. I’ve not enjoyed parts of this summer. I’ve struggled with not being able to switch off. Waking up, opening your curtains and the cricket ground is right there again. It did feel a little bit tough at times for me.

“I’m not looking for sympathy or anything, I’m just saying it how it is. That made me work harder this last couple of weeks on my technique and thankfully, frustratingly as well, I felt in great rhythm this week. As good as I have done for a while. But frustrating because I’m not sure when the next Test match is going to be. I’m happy with getting to this milestone and happy with the results this summer. Wining both Test series I think we’re both absolutely delighted with.”

The rest of the year for Anderson will be of recuperation and then ensuring he maintains his sharpness ahead of matches against Sri Lanka and India at the start of the new year. It will not be an easy task for a cricketer whose preparation has been fine-tuned to involve a certain volume of overs under his belt to be fully match-fit.

But the fire still burns within him and only injury will curtail his intentions to add to his 156 caps to date. As for the prospect of making it to 700, Anderson was typically bolshy. “Why not?”