James Anderson says no one would be stupid enough to play Test cricket at 40 

yyyy
James Anderson is the most successful fast bowler in Test cricket history

He has been one of the most successful and longest serving servants of Test cricket and whatever James Anderson has to say about the future of the format should be taken as seriously as possible by one and all in the cricket fraternity. 

The most successful fast bowler in the history of the sport, James Anderson, has now claimed that with the unchecked and unprecedented growth of not just T20 cricket but also other formats such as T10, there will be a time where no player will be interested in playing the conventional format of cricket at the age of 40, and it would be stupid to expect them to do so. 

James Anderson has made these comments as he prepares to play his 173rd Test for England against South Africa starting on Wednesday but also as someone who has seen the game changed drastically from the time he made his debut, in the last decade.

A workhorse for England, James Anderson has been nothing less than a machine that has churned out results year after year, braving questions on his retirement on almost every occasion he steps on the field to play in recent years, while also battling injuries and the kind of fortune that his country has had in red-ball cricket.

The whole debate arises from the fact that one of the most attractive and successful bowlers from New Zealand, Trent Boult struck a deal with his cricket board to allow himself to be away from national duties well he can play and other privately organised league will also spend time with his family since he is 33-years-old and wants to make most of the remaining days in cricket as a player.

The agreement between Trent Boult and New Zealand Cricket will see the fast bowler workload in international cricket getting reduced drastically and at the same time, he will feature and other cricket leagues around the world.

Talking about the development that has kicked off an important debate in cricket, James Anderson said it will be stupid to think that players will remain motivated to play Test cricket since other short format leagues will pay them more money for comparatively lesser workload. 

”… because Test cricket will probably bear the brunt of it. The easiest thing to do for bowlers is bowl four overs or 20 balls. It takes nothing out of you. And if you’re getting paid just as well, it probably makes sense. It will tempt more people than not,”

James Anderson was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. 

“It is [a big deal that Boult made this choice] because he is such a high-profile international player and I can definitely see it happening more and more now, particularly with bowlers.”

James Anderson says that he is still fit and motivated enough to continue playing the only format he plays for England and has currently no plans of retirement.

“I feel proud to have got to where I have. I feel fortunate as well that I’ve still got the love for the game and the desire to get better and still do the training and the nets and whatever else that comes with it. 

“Because with a lot of people that’s the first thing that goes, and that’s when you start slowing down and winding down. But for me, I feel like that passion is still there. So I feel fortunate for that. I feel fortunate that my body’s still functioning properly and allowing me to do the job that I love,”

he said. 

Comments

0