England's veteran pacer James Anderson has broken his silence on his Test retirement amid his dismal outing in the ongoing Ashes 2023 series against Australia. The 41-year-old Anderson hasn't fared well as he has only snared four wickets in Ashes 2023's four matches so far. He hasn't been able to replicate his performances in yesteryears owing to which he was rested for the third Ashes Test against Australia. However he came back in the fourth Test but couldn't leave any impact with the ball, however the match was called duo to persistent rain. Despite his lacklustre show England included the 41-year-old in the squad for the final Test at the Oval. However, it will be interesting to see whether Anderson can make a cut in the final XI for England in the ultimate Test as Australia are leading the series 2-1.
Meanwhile, Anderson has played down rumours about his retirement but expressed his frustration on failing to keep up his performance of late. However he is still backing his bowling abilities. Anderson also revealed the ongoing conversations with the coach and captain, who have expressed their desire to have him in the team as long as he remains hungry and dedicated to the sport.
But above all Anderson confirmed that he still loves Test cricket as much as ever and made it clear that retirement is certainly not floating in his mind.
"I have certainly not had the returns I would have liked in this series. Everyone goes through a lean patch but you just don't want it to be in the most high-profile series we play," Anderson wrote in a Telegraph column.
“10 or 15 years ago the debate would be about whether I should be dropped. Now it is about my future. I understand that. It is The Oval, the end of a series and a time for speculation. I keep talking to the coach and captain. They want me around, so as long as I am still hungry, want to put in the work then I will keep trying to give my best for the team. That is exactly where I am at the minute,” Anderson's column read.
Anderson also admitted that the last 14 months have been his favourite period as an England speedster. The legendary bowler is still committed to give it all for the team despite undergoing a lean patch. He thinks his bowling can still add value to the English Test side.
"There are no thoughts about retirement," Anderson wrote. "If I was bowling horrendously, with my pace down and hobbling around in the field I might be thinking differently. But the hunger is still there. I feel like I'm bowling well, that I can still offer something to the team. I felt like I bowled well at Old Trafford and if I get another chance this week, I will just keep trying the same stuff and hope my luck changes.
"It is just one of those things. There are always one or two players who have a lean series. It can be a batter who gets good balls and then a bit of bad luck. It felt like that was my week in Manchester. I felt like I beat the bat plenty of times, but just didn't take the wickets that you want as a bowler to help the team win. There were a couple of times when I bowled a tight five-over spell then Woody [Mark Wood] came on and took a wicket straightaway. It feels like maybe I created the pressure, then Woody came on and let loose. It's teamwork," Anderson wrote.
Notably Anderson has made himself available for the fifth Ashes Test against Australia which will be played at the Oval from June 27. He is still hopeful of his best in the series and thinks that things can turn around in the fifth Test.
"I've chatted to a few of the guys because it is frustrating when you go through this," Anderson wrote. "You are frustrated and desperate to help the team, desperate to win games. But unfortunately for me it was not to be this series. I've still got another game to go if I do get a chance and I will try and do the best I can," he concluded.
Meanwhile, England named an unchanged squad for the Oval Test. Below is England’s squad for the fifth Test of Ashes 2023.
England squad for fifth Test of Ashes 2023: Ben Stokes (Captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
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