JIMMY’S GEARING UP FOR No.700
Life gets better at 41 as Anderson keeps evolving
THOUGHTS of retirement could not be further from Jimmy Anderson’s mind as he enjoys a new lease of life.
Anderson, 41, continues to defy conventional wisdom and could reach 700 Test wickets in England’s third Test against India, which starts tomorrow in Rajkot.
There were 186 days between the fifth Ashes Test in July and the second Test in Visakhapatnam. Rather than put his feet up, Anderson used the time to get fitter than ever – and it showed as he took 5-76 from his 35 overs as the lone fast bowler. That included a hall-of-fame delivery to dismiss Rohit Sharma on his way to 695 Test wickets.
Steven Finn opened the bowling with Anderson during a win in Kolkata on their famous 2012 tour and, having since retired and become a pundit with TNT Sports, is in awe of his longevity. Finn, right, said: “He looked 21 again, didn’t he?
“He is flying in the face of what ageing should be to a fast bowler.
“It can become hard to look after your body when you get on as a fast bowler. I’m 34 and I struggle to get out of bed in the mornings with back spasms and other ailments.
“So, the fact that he is waking up each day enthused to play Test cricket at that intensity speaks a lot about him and the environment that Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have cultivated.”
Originally a master of swing bowling, Anderson has added many other strings to his bow, including the unpredictable wobble seam delivery. Finn, who took 125 wickets in 36 Tests, says Anderson’s thirst for knowledge has been key to his continued success.
Finn said: “Evolving as a sports person keeps the candle burning.
“If you try to survive as you are, you come to the end of the road and feel like you have nothing left to give. “But when you speak to James, he’s always looking for ways to get better, to take wickets, and as long as that desire is still there, you feel as though there’s no stopping him. “He’s probably licking his lips at the prospect of another English summer and going way beyond that 700-wicket mark.” Anderson has been enthused by playing in the Bazball era. Finn said: “Stokes never lets the game drift. On previous tours to India it became a game of attrition at times and you just had to settle in and be boring and wait for a mistake.
“Stokes forces people to make mistakes, so the game naturally moves a lot quicker and is always interesting.”
Finn also feels Anderson’s fire is still burning because he loves passing on his extensive knowledge.
He said: “You get to a stage where you take pleasure in helping others.
“It gives you a focus outside of worrying about yourself. It helps your game.”
He is flying in the face of what ageing should be