CUT OUT THE WHISPERING!
Anderson rejects retirement rumours and insists he wants to play in next Test
Jimmy Anderson is adamant he can recover from the ‘ one bad game’ that sparked rumours of a demise he insists have been greatly exaggerated.
england’s record wicket-taker is fully aware of the whispers which spread at old Trafford about his impending retirement as he struggled to make an impact in last week’s thrilling first-Test victory over Pakistan.
But Anderson, 38, still has the desire and hunger to add to his 590 Test wickets, and he wants to play in the second Test this week at the Ageas Bowl, for which england had planned to rest him.
‘For the first time in probably 10 years i got a bit emotional on the field, a bit frustrated, and i let it get to me,’ said Anderson ahead of Thursday’s game.
‘it reminded me of when i first started playing. you can get a bit angry and try to bowl quicker and quicker and that doesn’t help.
‘so now it’s a case of me working really hard over the next couple of days, trying to figure out if there are any technical issues i can sort out and just hope i get the nod for the next game. Hopefully i can show people i’ve still got what it takes to play Test cricket.’
it is a suggestion that would have been inconceivable not long ago and Anderson’s struggles are, of course, relative. But so high are his standards that questions were bound to be asked after a return of only six wickets in three Tests this summer.
‘i don’t think i bowled poorly in the West indies series,’ he insisted. ‘i felt good with the way the ball was coming out and i don’t think too much changes with one bad game. it’s just that something was off this time. i’m keeping my fingers crossed the captain and coach keep faith with me.’
That’s where things get interesting. it is inconceivable england will leave out stuart Broad or Chris Woakes with the way they have been bowling — and batting — which leaves Anderson competing with Jofra Archer, mark Wood, sam Curran and ollie robinson for at most two places, even with Ben stokes missing. england’s plan at the start of this summer was for Anderson to play no more than four of the six Tests, which have been played virtually back to back. it could well be that he has to keep those fingers crossed.
‘i’ve never counted my chickens and thought i would definitely play in any game,’ said Anderson. ‘i just have to keep working hard. But i’m sure that won’t be the last bad game of my career.
‘i just don’t want whispers to be going around that i’m about to pack it in every time i’m not at my best. i don’t think that’s fair. i’ve just got to find a way of dealing with that outside noise. i’ve done that really well in my career but it’s a little different now.’
Anderson insists he still wants to play in the next Ashes, coming up in the winter of 2021-22.
‘Absolutely i do,’ he said. ‘But i just want to play as long as i can. if i keep bowling the way i did in this last game, the opportunity to retire will be taken out of my hands anyway. But i’m still hungry and experiencing a win like we did last week is why we play the game.’
The landmark of 600 Test wickets is an Anderson masterclass away for statistically the best seamer to have played the game. But he is adamant he cannot focus on the 10 wickets he needs to get there.
‘it’s not a huge thing for me, really, just like other milestones i’ve reached,’ Anderson said. ‘my sole focus is contributing to this team. if it gets me to 600 wickets then that will be great.’
How about playing another eight Tests to go past his great friend sir Alastair Cook and become england’s most- capped player? ‘yes, that’s all i’m interested in. Getting past Alastair Cook,’ Anderson dead-panned. ‘no, i still can’t believe the number of Tests that are beside my name.
‘When the teams go up on TV, 154 does seem like a lot of games. if i can go past Cooky it will probably be the only thing i’ve got on him.
‘But i do think i’ve got quite a few left in me.’
starting, he hopes, against Pakistan this week.