James Anderson is going through a lean patch in the ongoing Ashes 2023 but he insists that it does not have anything to do with his age. Soon-to-be 41-year-old English pacer is not looking too far ahead but the must-win encounter at Headingley starting July 6.
Anderson has managed to take just three wickets from 77 overs in the first two Tests despite overcast conditions on few days, there are speculations that he may not be in the playing XI for the next Test. Anderson feels that he is not particularly bowling badly but he has not had a lean patch like this in last decade.
"I will be honest," Anderson wrote in his column in The Telegraph. "You want to contribute in the big series and I cannot remember having two such quiet games in a row for at least the past 10 years.
"I feel like I have always contributed at some stage. But I do not think I am bowling particularly badly; I am just going through a lean patch, which you do not want to happen in an Ashes ... I am saying lean patch but it is only two games out of 181.
"I am not going to criticise the pitch again. They have not suited me so far but I have found ways of getting wickets in the past on flat pitches. At the moment I am just not finding that knack.
"However, when you see the best bowlers in the world slamming it into the middle of the pitch, it is not great viewing. If you asked all the bowlers on show at Lord's, they will say they want to try other skills as well.
"I have spent 20 years pitching the ball up trying to swing it and move it off the deck and when you do not get anything doing that, it is frustrating. I just have to keep working on my game, chat to the coaches and see if there is something more I can be doing."
England’s most experienced pacer may have to sit out the Headingley Test as captain Ben Stokes may opt for Mark Wood’s raw pace to rattle the Aussies. Also, Moeen Ali is expected to be seen back in the mix after recovering from finger injury. Anderson has had a good record at Headingley taking 43 wickets from 11 Tests including one 10-wicket haul. However, he is well aware that he may have to sit out the next Test but is willing to contribute when he gets a chance to let the ball do the talking.
"It comes with the territory at my age for people to speculate about my future. But I understand. It is a high-profile series and you get put under the spotlight a bit more and the easy target is to say he is getting on a bit. But the reason I have not taken wickets is not because of my age.
"I am not thinking about the future. The future for me is just thinking about Thursday and the start of the next Test. That is as far ahead as I will look. If I get the nod, I will put in a performance the team need. If not, I will keep working hard and play a role at some stage across the series."
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