Published: Aug 13, 2024, 02:37 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 13, 2024, 02:59 PM (IST)
James Anderson, a former England bowler, stated on Tuesday that he would like to play franchise cricket and that he believes he can still use this skill at the highest level after witnessing the ball swing during The Hundred competition.
After the first Test match against the West Indies at Lord’s last month, Anderson announced his retirement from international cricket. He then joined the England team to serve as the bowling coach for the remainder of the Test summer. In order to develop younger players into elite bowlers, Anderson has been shifted into this position with an eye toward the Australia Ashes series in 2025–2026.
After taking four wickets in his last Test match, the 41-year-old finished with 704 career wickets in the format, third only to the late Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralidaran.
Wisden cited Anderson as saying, “I watch The Hundred and see the ball swinging around in the first 20 balls and I think: ‘I can do that, I can still do that.'” Anderson said on The Final Word Podcast. I’m not sure if it would be feasible to see if I could work in white-ball cricket. I have never played franchise cricket.
Playing domestic cricket is still an option for the 42-year-old, who stated that it is not “off the table”.
“The way that my body feels, the way I have been bowling in recent years, I still feel I could potentially have something to offer on that front,” he said.
With 188 Tests, 194 ODIs, and 19 T20Is under his belt at the end of his career, Anderson expressed confidence in his ability to bowl against English hitters in a net setting.
“Bowling at the England lads in the nets, you have to have change-ups and slower balls. We constantly work it, so I do not think [the skills and variations] will be an issue. But I do not know how much people will want a 42-year-old bowler in their team so we will have to wait and see,” said the former England pacer.
