Birmingham Phoenix skipper Moeen Ali revealed that if his team had faced a bowling injury during The Hundred 2024, he would have considered calling up Test legend James Anderson. Anderson, who last played a T20 match in 2014, recently expressed interest in returning to white-ball cricket after being impressed by the ball movement in this season’s tournament.
Moeen Ali Hints at Potential James Anderson Comeback
Birmingham Phoenix captain Moeen Ali made a surprising revelation regarding England’s Test legend James Anderson and his interest in white-ball cricket. Ali stated that if his team had suffered an injury in the bowling department during the ongoing 2024 season of The Hundred, he would have considered calling up Anderson. Known for his red-ball prowess, Anderson last played a T20 match in 2014 but has recently shown interest in returning to the white-ball format after observing the ball movement in this year’s tournament.
James Anderson, a veteran fast bowler with a storied Test career, has been away from T20 cricket for nearly a decade. However, after witnessing the dynamics in The Hundred 2024, Anderson has hinted at the possibility of making a white-ball comeback. While Anderson is currently retired from international cricket, Moeen Ali’s comments suggest that the door might not be entirely closed for the 40-year-old pacer to return to the shorter format, at least in domestic competitions.
Moeen Ali Reveals He Considered James Anderson for The Hundred 2024
Following Birmingham Phoenix’s qualification for the Eliminator clash in The Hundred 2024, skipper Moeen Ali made a surprising admission about potentially bringing in England‘s Test legend James Anderson. Ali expressed that Anderson, known for his exceptional swing bowling, would have been a valuable addition to the team, especially in conditions that favored movement. Highlighting the impact of a seasoned Test bowler, Ali mentioned that Anderson would have fit perfectly into the team’s strategy, particularly if they had faced an injury in their bowling lineup.
Moeen praised Anderson’s ability to swing the ball, stating, “If we had an injury, I would honestly have tried to call up Jimmy Anderson because he would have been awesome. They’ve been swinging it every game.” He also noted that Anderson’s experience in dealing with swinging conditions is unmatched, making him an ideal choice for The Hundred’s fast-paced format. Ali added that while Birmingham Phoenix had other options like Mark Wood to cover potential injuries, Anderson’s presence would have brought a unique edge to the team’s performance.
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