James Anderson breaks silence about retirement murmurs

Veteran England pacer James Anderson has put to rest any speculation of imminent retirement despite modest performances in the Ashes.Anderson has only five wickets to show for his efforts in the four Ashes Tests so far. Apart from a few glimpses of brilliance, he has looked far from his threatening best in the series so far and was even dropped from the third Test.

However, Anderson was quick to quash any possibilities of retirement, suggesting there's still a lot left in the tank, an ICC report on Saturday said.

"I'd like to make my own decision, yeah," Anderson said speaking to Sky Sports. "But I've tried not to listen to the talk, because, for me, that question has been there for the last six years, and even longer than that."

"As soon as you get into your 30s as a bowler, it's 'how long have you got left?' And for the last three, four years, I feel like I've bowled as well as I ever have. I feel like I've been bowling with so much control. My body's in a good place. My skills are as good as they ever have been," he said.

"So I don't feel like I'm bowling badly, or I'm losing pace, or on the way out. I feel like I can still offer a lot for this team," Anderson said.

A day away from turning 41, Anderson has had the retirement sword dangling over his head several times over the past few years. However, the Englishman has always managed to come back from adversities and consistently put up performances.

Not too long ago earlier this year, Anderson was at the top of the ICC Men's Test Bowlers Rankings. In 2022, Anderson picked up 36 wickets in just nine Test matches at a stunning average of 19.80.

In a 183-match long Test career spanning more than 20 years, the veteran pacer has seen his fair share of ups and downs and remains confident of making a difference going forward.

"Unfortunately we all know, as professional cricketers, that you go through lean patches, whether you're a batter and bowler," Anderson added. "You just pray that it's not in the most high-profile

series that you can play in!"

"But for me, I try and look at it objectively. I look at how I've bowled in the game. Yes, I've not got the wickets that I wanted, but I'm still trying to do a job for the team, still trying to help the guy out at the other end as well, trying to create pressure and create something in the game," Anderson said.

"The selection side of it is a completely different issue. If Stokesy (Ben Stokes) and Baz (Brendon McCullum) say you've not got the wickets we would have liked, I'm absolutely fine with that. But in terms of retirement, I have no interest in going anytime soon. I just I feel like I've got a lot more to give," Anderson said.

In the ongoing Test match, Anderson picked up the wicket of the in-form Mitchell Marsh in the first innings. After bowling out England for 283 on the first day, Australia managed to get a slender12-run lead, courtesy of Steve Smith and some vital lower-order contributions.(UNI)