England fast bowler James Anderson stated that he has “no interest” in retiring from the game anytime soon despite his age and lack of form in the Ashes against Australia.
Anderson, who turns 41 on Sunday, has 690 Test wickets. However, he has only taken five wickets in the Ashes, with an average of well under 75.
Anderson stated that he would continue to play as long as he has the backing of Captain Ben Stokes and Coach Brendon McCullum, under whom he has 50 wickets in 14 Tests.
“As soon as you enter your thirties as a bowler, everyone starts asking how much time you have left but I’ve bowled as well as I’ve ever bowled in the last three or four years,” Anderson told the BBC.
Anderson, who suffered a groin injury in the build-up to the Ashes, confessed he was going through a “lean patch,” but he believes he will bounce back in the second innings of the last Test, which Australia leads by 12 runs.
The Oval Test is his final chance to shine this year, since England will not play red ball cricket again until their January visit to India.
“I’ve still got another innings to try to do something for the team,” he added.
“I don’t feel like I’m bowling badly, losing pace, or nearing the end. I still believe I can contribute significantly to this team.”
