James Anderson has returned to England playing 11 for the fourth test which kick-started on Wednesday at Old Trafford, Manchester which is also his home ground. Anderson played the first two Ashes Tests but couldn’t deliver the level of performance needed for his Team and England suffered a loss in both Tests. But Anderson is back in the fourth Test by replacing Ollie Robinson who suffered black spasms in the third Test.
Currently, Australia is leading the Ashes 2-1 and both will be meeting at Manchester for a decider fourth Test, a must-win game for England.
Anderson who is 41 years old has been serving the England Cricket Team for a long time. As time progresses, his performance is marking up the virtue he has created in Test cricket. The Ashes 2023 has not been a good series so far, he has picked only 3 wickets at an average of 75.33 in the first two Tests. Luck has also not favored his pacer as some of the rare moments where catches were dropped during his spell. Anderson has kept his bowling economy under his control, only conceding runs with an economy of 2.93.
Undoubtedly this Ashes series is going to be his last Ashes series and his last Test at his home ground Old Trafford as well. He will be looking to win this game for England and his crowd because potentially he has reached a stage where retirement is not too far for this legend.
Ahead of the Fourth Ashes Test in Manchester, Australian skipper Pat Cummins was asked by a journalist about James Anderson, running in and bowling with the new ball at the age of almost 41. The journalist niggled Cummins whether he would be able to do that 11 years down the road when he will be 41.
Pat Cummins had a big smile on his face when listening to this question and said he’s unlikely to be playing at the age of 41. He went on to hail both Anderson and Broad for their determination and their success, for defying age as fast bowlers. Playing at such an Age and committing to your game is such a huge thing for a fast bowler, Anderson, and Broad have done a remarkable job for England.
Pat Cummins said: “I’m 30, I feel 41. Incredible feat [by Anderson] to still be at the top of your game, still one of the best bowlers in the world at 41, and Broad in his high-30s. That’s a serious achievement.”
The Aussie skipper pointed out that his bowling partner Mitchell Starc has featured in 80 Tests and is 33 years old. Cummins is 30 and has played in 53 Test matches, while Anderson and Broad have double that of Starc.
The duo of Anderson and Broad has clinched a combined tally of 1286 wickets in Tests together for England. No doubt why these two bowlers are considered as legends in red-ball cricket. Playing a long time for your nation and keeping delivering consistent performances should be learned from these two.
