England’s legendary pacer, James Anderson, is considering a return to cricket, just a month after retiring from Test matches. The 42-year-old, who stepped away from international red-ball cricket after the first Test against the West Indies at Lord’s, is now contemplating a potential comeback to white-ball cricket, particularly with a focus on the Hundred tournament.
Anderson, who ranks as the third-highest wicket-taker in Test history and the only fast bowler to have surpassed 700 Test wickets, concluded his stellar international career with a remarkable legacy. Post-retirement, Anderson took on the role of bowling mentor for England during the final two Tests against the West Indies.
Despite his retirement from Test cricket, Anderson has not officially announced his retirement from all forms of the game, leaving room for speculation about his future. In a recent interview, Anderson expressed his interest in exploring opportunities in the shorter formats, citing the excitement of playing in the Hundred.
“There’s a bit of intrigue with the shorter formats because I’ve not played any franchise stuff before. Watching The Hundred this year, and seeing the ball swing around, makes me feel like I could do a job there. I might be in a bit of denial because I’m well aware I won’t play for England again, but I’ve still not made a decision on my actual cricket career,” Anderson shared.
A Possible Return to the Shorter Formats
Anderson’s last appearance in T20Is for England dates back to 2009, as he had since prioritized Test cricket. However, he remains open to the idea of returning to the shorter formats, including the Hundred, where he believes his skills could still make an impact.
“Once this summer is done, I can sit down and think if I want to play cricket in some shape or form again next year. I’m quite open at the minute to thoughts of any sort of cricket. I’m still fit enough to play, and I’m not shutting myself off to anything,” Anderson added, emphasizing his ongoing passion for the game.
The veteran bowler acknowledged that his age might be a concern for some, but he remains confident in his abilities and is excited about the prospect of bowling in shorter formats.
“It’s hard to know if there’ll be any interest from people wanting me to play in that sort of thing, so we’ll wait and see. I know it’s a while since I played it, and my age will get brought up again, but I really feel I’ll be good enough to play that form of cricket,” he further remarked.
Coaching Role with England?
In addition to his playing aspirations, England captain Ben Stokes has expressed interest in having Anderson continue his role as a mentor for the national team during the upcoming Ashes series. However, Anderson is still weighing whether a full-time coaching role aligns with his future plans.
“It’s still a long way away, and I still need to see if this is what I’m passionate about. Stokesy and England need to decide if I’m the right man for the job too. So far, so good, but you never know,” Anderson concluded.
As Anderson contemplates the next chapter of his cricketing career, fans and pundits alike will be eager to see whether the English pace legend makes a return to the white-ball format, adding yet another milestone to his illustrious career.
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