NO WAY I'LL QUIT - James Anderson vows to keep playing for at least two more years as England pace ace says he loves cricket more than ever
JAMES ANDERSON is slim, fit and hoping to bowl for England for at least two more years.
His hair is brown once more, his ambition still strong. A brief flirtation with the peroxide bottle is the only suggestion Anderson might be approaching any sort of crossroads.
He joked: “Mid-life crisis averted . . . for the time being!”
Anderson has been bowling superbly for years and better than ever during the past 12 months, combining swing, seam and still decent pace.
The world’s best batsmen will tell you he remains a nightmare to face 15 years after his Test debut — quicker than you think, the master of skill and deception and constantly in your face, chirping away.
He took 39 wickets at 14 apiece for England last summer and there is no reason to believe there will not be another decent harvest against Pakistan and India in the coming weeks.
Anderson is loving his cricket and he wants to keep playing until his body gives up.
Long-standing shoulder and ankle issues required injections three weeks ago and he manages his workload. Bowling quick is bloody hard work but, generally, he is in terrific shape.
And the assumption held by many, that he will retire after the 2019 Ashes series, is wrong — Anderson would like nothing more than to continue playing for England into his late 30s.
Now 35, Anderson said: “As long as the body feels OK, I’m enjoying playing, helping the team improve and taking wickets, I’ll keep going.
“I’ve spoken to people who have retired once they lost the enjoyment of a long day in the field or going to the gym. If I lose that, it’s time to go.
“I’ve spoken to guys like Freddie Flintoff, who retired through injury, and you can tell how much he misses the game. The craic and the camaraderie. Swanny says the same.
“You spend so much time with people, you do get really close, have that family feel. So I want to keep hold of that as long as possible.”
Anderson has 531 Test wickets, fifth on the all-time list and second only to Glenn McGrath among quick bowlers.
He was easily England’s best bowler during the 4-0 Ashes hammering last winter and he enters the First Test against Pakistan tomorrow ten short of becoming the first bowler to take 100 Test wickets at Lord’s.
Anderson added: “I’m delighted with the way I’m bowling, I can’t remember being this consistent. I’m taking wickets in most games and I keep touching wood that injuries stay away.
“For me, what works is keeping training short but with high intensity and then recovering well. Physio, massage, icing, things like that.
“The shoulder and ankle have been niggly concerns for a few years so I had a couple of jabs this month. They should see me through the summer.
“You learn as you get older. I bowl quite a bit but I might wake up and think, ‘Actually, I don’t need to bowl today.’ So short and sharp for me and saving the best stuff for matches.
“Another thing is I’m better able these days to concentrate on the next game. In the past, if I got a five-for, I’d think I’d got it sussed and take my eye off the ball.
“I know my game really well and I’m relatively comfortable in most situations. I believe I can still take wickets on most pitches even though I might not have the pace I used to.
“I don’t see why I couldn’t go beyond next year’s Ashes, but I don’t want to look too far ahead. It would be an amazing series to play in, with a Test at Old Trafford as well. I’m certainly not thinking I’ll finish after that series. I’m open-minded. You just don’t know.
“I might get to the end of this Pakistan series and think I cannot go on.
“Or I might get to the end of the Ashes in 2019 and feel as fresh as I’ve ever felt and want to carry on for another two years.”
JAMES . . . ON HIS HAIR
“I thought it was a long time since I’d done something with my hair. I had it red many years ago and a bit of blond every now and again.
“I wanted a grey/silver colour, but it turned out more dirty blond.
“Then I bowled poorly for Lancashire against Somerset — I thought it must be the hair! So I dyed it back to dark brown and bowled better in the next game. I’ll let it grow out now.”
. . . ON ED SMITH
“I actually played in all three of Ed Smith’s Tests back in 2003.
“So I know him a little from that and listening to him as a commentator on Test Match Special.
“He explained the reasons for his selections for the First Test very clearly. As players, we certainly want that.
“Why are you playing? Why have you been dropped? What is your role? What do you need to do to get back? That clarity is crucial.”
. . . ON SANDPAPERGATE
“I’ve never heard of teams taking sandpaper onto the field to scuff the ball. As a bowler, the ball is your tool. It’s how I earn a living.
“If one of the batsmen was doing something to the ball, I’d be furious. It would be like me cutting off an inch from his bat handle.
“When the ball comes back to me, I look at it between every delivery. I’d have thought it would be obvious if someone had been sandpapering it.”
. . . ON 100-BALL COMP
“It’s been a big talking point in the dressing rooms. Opinion is split.
“Jonny Bairstow, the England PCA rep, gathered players’ thoughts from our WhatsApp group.
“Some asked if we should look at the success of other T20s around the world rather than inventing this new game?
“Some others thought we should give it a go.
“We could do with more info before we jump to any conclusions.”
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/6353928/james-anderson-england-cricket-pakistan/
) Yeah it was, out of his depth. Blind hater who was proven wrong, wonder if he seriously believes half the stuff which comes out his mouth bit like Donald Trump
draw the series
