Determined Anderson looking forward to one final bout against Australia in Ashes 2021

The English Cricket team aren’t having much of a good time in Test cricket. And, the fact that are missing their fast bowler, James Anderson, couldn’t have been more evident than was, during their appalling display of bowling in the first Test against the likes of BJ Watling, Mitchell Santner and co at the Bay Oval.

Anderson- England’s most successful fast bowler, the bowler with the most number of wickets when it comes to Pacers and also the leading wicket-taker of the current decade has been missing from action since bowling those four fateful overs in Birmingham in the first Ashes Test due to a calf injury.

Since then, question-marks have developed around Anderson’s International future. However, the champion seam and swing bowler, who is set to travel to South Africa for a pre-series training camp ahead of the four-match series, isn’t the one to follow the ‘one-match-at-a-time’ template and has firmly set his eyes at locking horns with Australia for one final time in the 2021 Ashes.

Anderson, while talking to Sportsmail, said, ‘I know everyone’s talking about the Ashes in two years’ time, which is a long way away, and I’d be 39 by then, but if I still feel like I do at the minute, if I keep working as hard as I am in the gym and at my game, then I don’t see any reason why I can’t make that trip,’

James Anderson feels that he has a lot to offer to the new generation

The English bowling unit- apart from Stuart Broad– is currently undergoing a transition phase, and Anderson, 37, feels that he has a lot to offer to the new generation.

‘But whether I do or I don’t, I still feel that in the near future I’ve got something to offer this team, both in performances on the field and around the group. We’ve got young lads coming in; some fairly inexperienced players who might need some guidance. I feel like the more experience you’ve got around the group, around those younger players, the better really.

‘From a personal point of view, I’ve not thought once about the amount of wickets I’ve got, the amount of wickets I could have or the amount of wickets I want to get. I’ve always thought it’s about just doing your job, trying to improve yourself as a player. So, that’s my sole focus: trying to get myself back in the side if I can, and then keeping myself there by taking wickets. Then, in a year’s time, who knows, I could have 575, I could have 576, I could have 600 wickets. Anderson said as quoted by Daily Mail.

I’m better now than I was at 30: James Anderson

Anderson also reckoned that as his age has progressed, he has actually got better in his skill set and with the bulk of experience behind him, he feels he can set-up batsman with his craft and get them dismissed.

“I’m better now than I was at 30,’ he says. ‘I put that down to a bit of everything. I feel very confident in what I do and I feel like 95 times out of 100 I can bowl the ball where I want it to go. I feel like I can work batsmen out better, set better fields. With experience, I’ve just got better in all areas.’