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[Saba Sports News] James Anderson feels he is bowling as well as ever and believes he “could still do a job” as he prepares for his 188th and final Test match this week at Lord’s. The legendary fast bowler, who turns 42 this month, holds the best individual bowling figures in this County Championship season, with 7 for 35 for Lancashire against Nottinghamshire in his first competitive game since March.
“I still feel as fit as I ever have, like I’m bowling as well as I ever have. I still think I could do a job,” Anderson said on Monday, two days before the Test. “But at the same time, I understand that it has to end at some point. The fact that it now is just something I’ve got to deal with and accept.”
When asked if he could have continued playing, Anderson added: “It’s difficult to say. I’ve not really got a choice.”
Anderson, who debuted in 2003 under Nasser Hussain, was prompted to retire after a meeting with Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum, and Rob Key in May. The trio informed him they planned to select fast bowlers for the 2025 Ashes tour. Anderson hadn’t considered his career’s end before this meeting.
“I wouldn’t say it was a surprise, because when the three big dogs invited me to a hotel in Manchester for a chat I didn’t think it was just a normal appraisal,” he said. “I had a suspicion that that was going to be the case. I think they were surprised at how calm I was and I was probably surprised at my reaction. I wasn’t overly emotional or angry about it.
“I saw their point of view and appreciated them taking the time to lay it out for me. Since then I’ve come to terms with it and made peace with that decision. I’m just looking forward to one more game and then see what’s ahead.”
After this Test, Anderson will mentor for the rest of the summer before deciding whether to continue playing first-class cricket for Lancashire or transition into a coaching role for the winter tours of Pakistan and New Zealand. “That’s way too far ahead,” he said. “We’ll just see how these next two months go. I think they want to see if I’m any good at it, whether I fit into what they want from a coaching group, and then I’ll see if I enjoy it.
“Coming off the back of seven-for last week, obviously I feel like I’m still bowling as well as I ever have. If I feel like I can still contribute to Lancashire or they need me, then I’m sure that’s a conversation we’ll have in the next few months.”
England’s bowling lineup is transitioning, with Surrey’s Gus Atkinson and Nottinghamshire’s Dillon Pennington likely to feature. England’s previous record wicket-taker, Stuart Broad, retired last year, leaving big shoes to fill. Anderson hopes to focus on performing well in his final game and securing a win, despite the inevitable emotions.