Anderson makes 'wait and see' retirement admission ahead of the Ashes

12 June 2023 , 10:32

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England legend James Anderson (Image: Gareth Copley - ECB/ECB via Getty Images)

James Anderson has opened up about retirement plans ahead of the Ashes, with the England legend set to turn 41 during the series.

Anderson is the most successful seamer in the history of Test match cricket and is showing no real signs of slowing down any time soon. Since turning 40, Anderson has taken 28 Test wickets at an average of just 17.21, having been rejuvenated by the new positive and aggressive approach England have adopted under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.

However, Anderson admits he does not want to "drag it out" and says he is hoping he will end up in a similar situation to England's World Cup winning captain Eoin Morgan, who walked away from international cricket last year.

"I don't want to drag it out and people are thinking: 'Can you just do one'," Anderson told the Telegraph when asked about his future. "I would like to be able to go out on a nice note.

"Morgs last year woke up and just knew it was time to call it a day. I am just hoping that is the case.

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"I feel privileged to have got in a position where I can make a decision because as a bowler it is usually taken out of your hands with injury or selection. It will be nice to go out on my own terms but when that will be you just have to wait and see."

Following the conclusion of the Ashes, England do not play another Test for six months, when they are set to travel to India in January for a five-match series. Such a break should allow Anderson to remain fresh and represent his county Lancashire.

At the age of 40, Anderson remains vital to England (AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)

There were some concerns about his fitness ahead of the Ashes after he pulled up with a groin problem in Lancashire's County Championship match against Somerset last month.

Anderson missed England's subsequent Test against Ireland, but is confident he will have no issues against Australia, having managed just four overs in the 2019 Ashes before a recurrence of a calf injury ruled him out of the entire series.

"I felt I had let the guys down," he admitted. "Unfortunately it can happen. This time the injury is not as serious. I have had more time to rest it, recover and build it up. I will have to be honest about how I am feeling."

Matthew Cooper