James Anderson, one of England's greatest-ever seamers, believes he could have continued playing at the highest level until the 2025 Ashes in Australia. The 42-year-old, who retired from international cricket earlier this summer, finished his illustrious career with 704 Test wickets in 188 appearances, cementing his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats.
Speaking about his decision to retire, Anderson revealed that he felt he was in prime form and capable of contributing for England for another Ashes series. “I always thought in my head I could make The Ashes at the end of next year,” Anderson told Sky Sports. “But obviously, they didn’t think that I could. I would have carried on and I will carry on still playing in some shape or form.”
Despite his confidence, England head coach Brendon McCullum was looking to recalibrate the team’s bowling attack with an eye on the future. Anderson admitted the decision was tough but acknowledged the natural progression of the team. “I think that’s part of the fun of being a professional sportsperson, to constantly find things to improve on. Especially in cricket, which is a heavily skill-based sport, there’s always something else to look into and try. I’ve always loved that side of it.”
James Anderson on his retirement
Could Jimmy Anderson have made it to the 2025 Ashes? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/ioD64rKLVX
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) December 28, 2024
While Anderson has stepped away from the Test arena, his involvement with the England team hasn’t ended entirely. He joined the backroom staff as a bowling mentor, underlining his continued impact on English cricket.
In addition to his Test achievements, Anderson surprised fans by entering the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction this year. However, having not played a T20 game in a decade, he went unsold. Read More
This article is referenced from
https://www.indiatoday.in/
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