'Class is permanent’ - Nasser Hussain throws his weight behind James Anderson amidst retirement talks

Former England skipper Nasser Hussain has backed James Anderson to make a strong comeback in red-ball cricket. Notably, the veteran pacer has lacked consistency and looked demotivated in the ongoing Ashes 2023 with his future once again the talk of the town, especially when Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson have done a good job in the ongoing series.

Hussain, however, believes that Anderson still has a lot to offer and must continue playing for England. He added saying that great cricketers always bounce back and Anderson knows when is the right time to retire from international cricket.

“If I was picking England’s best XI to face Australia, he would still be in it. Yes, Anderson’s wickets cost 32 runs apiece there, considerably more expensive than his career mark of 26 - but four months ago he was the No 1-ranked bowler in the world and although it might be the oldest cliche, class is permanent,” Hussain wrote in his column for Daily Mail.

“Only the individual knows when the time is right to retire, whether they are physically and mentally done. There are only so many times you can go to the well, only so many times you get out of bed, strap those bowling boots on and go again. That point will come for Anderson, but I don’t see in his body language that he’s running on empty,” he added.

Notably, Anderson has represented England in 182 Test matches and has picked up 689 wickets. He has been terrific under the leadership of Ben Stokes but has suffered a lot in the Ashes and there’s a possibility that the cricketer may not participate in the fifth Test at Kennington Oval. Hussain nevertheless feels that it should not be the case and it will be unfair if he is not in England’s plan going forward.

“He’s just performing a bit below par. When a great is a bit below par, it would be very unfair - wrong, in fact - to leave him out. Great cricketers just deserve that little bit more, in keeping with their mighty efforts,” Hussain added.