James Anderson says he has “no thoughts about retirement” as the Ashes reaches its finale this week.
Anderson, England’s most prolific Test bowler of all-time, will turn 41 during the Fifth Test at the Oval and has struggled for impact so far in the series, with just four wickets in three matches at an average of 77.
That has led to speculation over the seamer’s future, with Ben Stokes’s side not back in Test action after this week until what is sure to be a gruelling five-match tour of India in the New Year. Anderson, however, says he has no intention of walking away.
“There are no thoughts about retirement," he wrote in his Telegraph column. "If I was bowling horrendously, with my pace down and hobbling around in the field I might be thinking differently. But the hunger is still there. I feel like I’m bowling well, that I can still offer something to the team.
“I keep talking to the coach and captain. They want me around, so as long as I am still hungry, want to put in the work then I will keep trying to give my best for the team.”
Meanwhile, Australia captain Pat Cummins believes his team are primed to secure a “phenomenal” series victory this week, after admitting he felt “wrecked” by the same stage of the 2019 tour.
Cummins was part of the Australian side that drew 2-2 here four years ago, defeat in the last Test at the Oval costing Tim Paine’s men a first victory on English soil since 2001.
Cummins has played five Tests in a row since the World Test Championship final at the start of June and looked jaded as England’s batters ran riot at Old Trafford, but the quick says he is raring to go again this week.
“I remember turning up here in 2019 for the fifth Test and I was wrecked," he said. "It’s probably the only time in my career where I thought I genuinely might not be able to play. I feel in a much better position now.
“It’s been an incredible tour over here really. We’ve played five games, we’ve won three and only lost one. It’s already a fantastic tour. But to go home winning the urn would be phenomenal. It’s a final thing to tick off the list of titles to win for a few of the guys, who you never [know] if you’ll get another chance at it.”
