James Anderson at 40: England seamer improving with age and no end in sight for Test career

James Anderson at 40: England seamer improving with age and no end in sight for Test career

As Anderson gets ready to lead England’s attack in the series opener against South Africa at Lord’s starting on Wednesday, his first game since turning 50 late last month, he feels like retirement is a long way off. Anderson turned 50 on July 30. In a press conference on Monday, Anderson said, “I don’t feel old or like I’m slowing down. I don’t feel 40; it’s simply a number next to my name. We are really fortunate to have him as a side and as a country, Stokes added of Anderson. I genuinely don’t know when he feels like he can’t do it any longer.
I consider myself lucky because I still have a passion for the sport and a desire to improve. I’m grateful that my body is still in good shape and enables me to accomplish the work I love. Anderson’s Test career should be coming to an end, according to logic, but Anderson’s Test career has defied logic. He has participated in 172 matches as a pace bowler and counting. He is currently 43 wickets short of reaching 700 in this format. Those are some astounding figures. It’s amazing how well he takes care of himself and how determined he is to improve and never be satisfied with where he is at.s.

Benefited;

They have benefited from the fact that England plays more cricket than any other nation, frequently to an absurd degree, but they are more a monument to Anderson’s fitness, heart, and skill. When most athletes his age start to lose their competitive edge, Anderson has had the exact opposite effect. In his first press conference as England men’s MD, Key stated that Ben made quite clear that he wanted Jimmy and Broady to return.
Anderson’s Test bowling average fell between the ages of 25 and 29 to 28.47. Between 30 and 34, it increased to 25.45, and since he reached 35, Anderson’s average has increased to 21.39. Anderson’s average has only fallen below 24 in one year since 2013, in 2019, when he averaged above 30. This summer, Anderson has already proven to New Zealand and India that he is far from a fading force. The paceman has taken 17 wickets in three games at an average of 18.29, including a 32nd five-wicket haul against India in the first innings at Edgbaston where he destroyed three of the visitors’ top six.

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When Anderson had Mohammed Siraj, the No. 11 batsman for India, caught by his seasoned new-ball partner Stuart Broad, he secured his five-for, his 10th since turning 35.  When temporary managing director Sir Andrew Strauss decided to leave Anderson and Broad behind for the three-Test tour in the Caribbean, the overwhelming reaction from supporters and analysts was one of incredulity.

Frustration, rage, and astonishment;

Anderson felt “frustration, rage, and astonishment” as a result, and he “prayed” that his career had not been ended when he still had “a lot to contribute.” On his BBC podcast Tailenders, Anderson continued, “I’ve got one more shot at digging deep. Anderson needed the new administration to want him as well, and they very definitely did, with Broad and the permanent managing director Rob Key bringing up the red-ball skipper Ben Stokes without hesitation.
With his performances thus far this summer, Anderson has demonstrated that Stokes’ faith in him was well-placed, and it appears that there is no end in sight for a guy who made his Test debut against Zimbabwe at Lord’s 19 years ago. It’s amazing to still be playing at 40. He has earned the moniker “the freak” for being able to perform at that age.

SOURCE: skysports