Want to be around for the next Ashes in Australia – James Anderson

England veteran fast bowler James Anderson has made it clear that he is not contemplating retirement anytime soon. Anderson, who will turn 38 in a week’s time, has stated that he wants to play in the next Ashes series in Australia which will take place in 2021.

Anderson could only play one Test match in the previous Ashes 2019 after he suffered a calf strain. In fact, he could bowl only four overs in the first innings of the opening match of the series.

The experienced fast bowler understands that he would need to be at the top of his fitness if he wants to continue playing at the top level. Anderson believes it is crucial for him to manage the workload in a guile manner.

The swing master was rested for the second Test match against the West Indies at Old Trafford, Manchester after playing in the first Test at Southampton. Anderson looked impressive in the first innings of the first Test as he had scalped three wickets. However, he went wicketless in the second essay.

Anderson wants to be at the top of his form going and he knows that he would need to keep going strong. The right-arm pacer has already played 157 Test matches in which he has scalped 587 wickets. Anderson is the highest wicket-taker for England and he is the leading wicket-taker in the Test fold as a fast bowler.

Furthermore, Anderson is placed at fourth place in the list of the most Test wicket-takers behind Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne and Anil Kumble.

“Looking at the bigger picture, I want to be around when we go to Australia for the next Ashes, so to be able to do that, I’ve certainly got to do things slightly differently,” ESPNCricinfo quoted Anderson as saying.

“It might mean missing the odd game here or there to make sure that I’m in the best possible situation. I want to keep bowling and keep my form, but I also want to look after my body as much as I can as well. I’m a bit more open to it now than I was, say, two or three years ago,” he added.

James Anderson has got all the experience under his belt and he is still going strong. The veteran has kept himself at the top of his fitness. It is never easy for a fast bowler to have such a long career but Anderson has always defied odds to come out as a winner.

Meanwhile, James Anderson doesn’t have the best of the records in the Ashes as he snared a total of 104 wickets in 32 Test matches at a meagre average of 34.56.