150 not out: Jimmy still wants more

Jimmy Anderson makes his record-breaking 150th Test appearance today knowing he will have to be protected by england if he is to fulfil his ambition of one last Ashes tour in 2021. The 37-year-old returns to lead the england attack against south Africa after bowling just four overs in the first Ashes Test in August due to a persistent calf injury. Having become the first Test fast bowler in history to reach such an illustrious landmark, Anderson wants to prolong his career towards his 40th birthday. ‘i need to sit down with Chris silverwood and Ashley Giles to talk things through seriously,’ Anderson said. ‘if i feel like i do now then i don’t see why i couldn’t have another crack at the Aussies. ‘But there will be things coming up that i have to look at. do i go to sri Lanka in march if the pitches are like they were last time? is there any point in that? i just want to stay fresh and keep going as long as possible.’ Today’s Centurion Test means a lot to Anderson, who made his international debut in may 2003. ‘it will be a really proud moment because not many people have played 150 Tests,’ he said. ‘i’ve gone through ups and downs and there were times in my early 20s when i didn’t know if i would ever get picked again or take another wicket. so it feels very nice to have worked so hard and played so often. ‘i want to make the most of what i’ve got and as long as i still feel i can keep taking wickets at this level i’ll keep trying to improve.’