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Veteran English fast bowler James Anderson has dismissed speculation about retirement following the ongoing fifth Ashes Test, maintaining that he still has much to contribute to his team.
Anderson, England's leading wicket-taker of all time, will celebrate his 41st birthday on Sunday. Even though he has only taken five wickets in the Ashes series, Anderson believes he is still performing well.
"I don't feel like I'm bowling poorly, losing pace, or that I'm on a downward trajectory. I believe I can continue to offer a lot to this team. I'm not interested in retirement anytime soon. I feel like I have much more to contribute," Anderson said in a BBC interview following the second day's play on Friday.
Anderson demonstrated good form on the second day of the fifth Test, but only claimed a single wicket, dismissing Mitchell Marsh. "I hope these dry spells don't coincide with one of the biggest series you could participate in, but sadly for me, that's the case," he said.
"I still have another innings to attempt to contribute to the team. I think I bowled well today, and on another day I might have secured a few more wickets," the soon-to-be birthday boy
Despite challenging pitch conditions in the first two Tests, Anderson managed to claim one wicket at Edgbaston and two at Lord's, though England suffered losses both times. He was absent from the victorious Headingley Test, which took place on a lively pitch.
During the ongoing fifth Test at The Oval, Anderson became the oldest player to open bowling for England in an Ashes Test since Johnny Douglas in 1925.
Post-Ashes, Anderson will have his next opportunity to represent England in January in India, and he anticipates continuing until then.
"People start questioning your longevity as soon as you hit your 30s as a bowler. However, in the last three or four years, I believe I've been bowling as well as ever. I feel like I've been in great control, my body has been in good shape, and my skills are as sharp as they've ever been," Anderson concluded.
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