‘No interest in retiring,’ says James Anderson

London: England fast bowler James Anderson insists that turning 41 on Sunday will not push him into retirement, claiming he “has a lot more to give”.

England’s all-time leading wicket-taker with 690 Test victims, is enduring a rare lean patch in the ongoing Ashes series against Australia.

So far, he has taken only five wickets in the four matches he has played with one more inning left in the fifth Test at The Oval to add to his tally.

“As soon as you get into your 30s as a bowler, people are asking how long you’ve got left,” Anderson told the BBC’s Test Match Special after the second day’s play on Friday.

“But in the past three or four years, I’ve bowled as well as I ever have. I feel like I’ve been in so much control, my body has been in a good place, my skills are as good as they ever have been.

“In terms of retirement, I’ve got no interest in going any time soon. I feel like I’ve got a lot more to give.”

James Anderson dismissed Mitchell Marsh on Friday as Australia were bowled out for 295, a lead of just 12 runs in the first innings.

Having missed the win at Headingley which brought England back to 2-1 down in the series, it extended a run that has seen Anderson not play in a Test win against Australia since 2015.

“I don’t feel like I’m bowling badly or losing pace or that I’m on the way out,” said James Anderson. “I still feel I can offer a lot to this team.”

It is pertinent to mention that Australia retained the Ashes after the fourth Test against England ended in a rain-affected draw, with bad weather at Old Trafford washing out Sunday’s final day.

The result ensured Australia, as the holders, kept the Ashes at 2-1 up with one match left in the series — regardless of the result of next week’s fifth Test at The Oval.

Heavy overnight rain left the outfield sodden and meant play was unable to start as scheduled at 11:00 am (1000 GMT) in Manchester.

No sooner had it been announced that play would resume at 1200 GMT, provided there was no further rain, the ground was subjected to a fresh downpour lasting several hours.

The match was officially abandoned by the umpires as a draw at 1624 GMT.

Despite this draw, Australia will still have to avoid defeat at The Oval if they are to secure their first Ashes series win in England since 2001.

Courtesy: AFP