ANDERSON’S PLEDGE
Anderson vows he will not become burden to England
JAMES ANDERSON has promised to walk away from international cricket before he starts to “embarrass” himself and is pushed. Despite an injury-blighted summer, the 37-year-old recordbreaking fast bowler is still one of the world’s best and, when fit, remains one of the first names in Joe Root’s Test side.
But after suffering with a calf strain that limited him to just four overs as England lost the Ashes, Anderson is also under no illusions that his body will not allow him to keep going forever.
And he has vowed to call time on his career himself before he gets the tap on the shoulder or becomes a burden to the side.
“I’m realistic,” said Anderson. “If I’m not good enough and feel I’m detracting from the team and I’m too slow or whatever it might be, then I’m not going to embarrass myself or drag the team down.
“I’ll only keep playing if I think I can be one of the best bowlers in the world and if I think I can help this team win games of Test cricket. I’m not blinkered thinking I’m going to just drag out as many games as I can.
“I still feel like I can perform at this level. I still feel like I can be the best bowler in the world. So as long as I’ve got that mentality I’m going to keep pushing myself.
“I feel in really good condition. I feel as fit as I ever have. It’s just the calf keeps twanging.”
Anderson has been encouraged by the longevity of other sportsmen such as Roger Federer, Ryan Giggs and NFL star Tom Brady, who is still going at 42.
The England bowler might not have to take the same hits as Brady, but he is open to new ideas such those used by vegan Australian paceman Peter Siddle. “I’m going to try to investigate every possible avenue of what I need to do at my age to keep myself in good shape,” he said. “I’ll look at how other sportspeople have done it throughout their careers to keep going into their late 30s.
“Whether there’s anything specific I can do – diet, gym programme, supplements, whatever it might be – I’m openminded and I’ve chatted through veganism with my wife, but she’s not keen.
“I’ve still got a real desire to play. I still love the game and feel I can offer something to the team.”
Anderson insists the pitches this summer did not help England’s cause. He said: “We go to Australia and get pitches that suit them. They come over here and get pitches that suit them. It doesn’t seem quite right.”
● JAMES ANDERSON was speaking on behalf of ‘The Test Experts’ Specsavers, Official Test Partner of the England cricket team ahead of the final Test at the Oval.