James Anderson, England’s record-breaking fast bowler, refuses to age. At the age of 41, he continues to deliver the goods for England in Test cricket, consistently troubling the batters, young and old.
On Saturday, he struck with the new ball as he had India captain Rohit Sharma caught-behind for just 2 to give his team an early breakthrough after they were bowled out for 353 in the Ranchi Test.
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Soon, the cameras panned towards a fan watching the proceedings at the JSCA International Stadium holding a poster that read, “I will start to study when James Anderson retires.”
Former India allrounder and coach Ravi Shastri was on air and he promptly responded, “You’ve got to wait, young man. You are not studying soon, go on a long holiday. It is not happening any time soon.”
Anderson is Test cricket’s most prolific fast bowler and the third highest wicket-taker in the format’s history. He’s just three wickets away from completing the milestone of 700 scalps now.
“You’ve to respect and admire the individual (Anderson) for his sheer longevity. To be around for so long and continue playing at the top level is superb,” Shastri added.
Anderson made Test debut in 2003 and is now playing in his 186th Test – the second most capped player in the format’ history after Sachin Tendulkar who played 200 Tests.
Last year, Anderson brushed aside talks of retirement saying he’ll make his own decision.
“…I’ve tried not to listen to the (retirement) talk, because, for me, that question has been there for the last six years, and even longer than that,” Anderson told Sky Sports.
“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 added.
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