JIMMY: I’M NOT DONE YET WITH ENGLAND

BUT ANDERSON ADMITS HE HAD ‘A BAD GAME’ AND LET IT GET TO HIM

JAMES ANDERSON today reaffirmed he has no plans to retire this summer and wants to play for England “for as long as I possibly can”.

Anderson (below) admitted he had “a bad game” in the thrilling opening Test win over Pakistan at Emirates Old Trafford. He picked up just one wicket to take his tally to six at an average of 41 in three matches this summer.

The 38-year-old has played 154 Tests — seven shy of Alastair Cook’s English record — over 17 years and is 10 wickets away from becoming the first fast bowler to take 600 in Tests.

Anderson is frustrated he allowed his lack of wickets to get to him at Old Trafford, but said there is no prospect of retiring imminently. He appears likely to be rotated for Thursday’s Second Test at the Ageas Bowl, but is keen to be involved so he can put last week behind him.

“No, there’s not, no,” he said when asked if he planned to hang up his boots. “It’s been a frustrating week for me. I’ve not bowled very well and felt out of rhythm. For the first time in probably 10 years I got a little bit emotional on the field, got a bit frustrated, let it get to me a little bit.

“As I went through the game I just tried to start bowling quicker, run in faster, bowled a couple of no-balls, which isn’t like me really. It felt like I was trying a bit too hard. “It was one bad game and I’m sure I’ll have another bad game in my career. I just don’t want every time I have a bad game for there to be whispers going round that I’m going to pack it in. It’s about trying to find a way of dealing with that, dealing with the outside noise. I’ve done that really well in my career.”

Anderson would like to make it to the Ashes in Australia next winter but believes if he does not improve that decision will be taken out of his hands.

“Yes, absolutely,” he said when asked

if he would like to play in the Ashes. “It’s not like that’s a focus of mine. I want to play as long as I possibly can. If I keep bowling the way I did last week. the opportunity to retire will be taken out of my hands. It will be a selection issue.

“But I’m still hungry. Experiencing a win like Saturday’s is why we play the game. Seeing all the lads perform. It’s one of those things, everyone has a bad game every now and then. That’s how I look at it. I’ll work hard to try to put things right this week if I get the chance.”

Of reaching

600 wickets, Anderson said: “If I get there, then great. If I don’t, then I’m happy with what I’ve got. I know I can perform better than I did last week. I still can’t quite believe the number [of games] that’s next to my name, but I feel like I’ve got quite a few more left in me.”