(AFP Photo)
James Anderson, England’s legendary cricketer, expressed his hope that future players will embrace the unique challenges of Test cricket rather than “chasing the dollar”. As he prepares to conclude his illustrious Test career against the West Indies, Anderson, set to play his 188th and final Test at Lord’s starting Wednesday, reflected on how the sport has evolved over his two-decade journey.
Anderson’s record-breaking career as a fast bowler includes an unprecedented 700 Test wickets, a testament to his enduring skill and dedication in the longest format of the game. While cricket has transformed significantly since his debut in 2003, with the rise of lucrative T20 tournaments like the Indian Premier League offering substantial financial rewards with reduced playing demands, Anderson emphasized how Test cricket has been instrumental in shaping him as a player.
In an era where players have alternatives to establish themselves beyond Test cricket, Anderson highlighted the enduring value and character-building aspects of the traditional five-day format. He shared these sentiments ahead of his final appearance, underscoring his deep respect and affection for Test cricket’s profound impact on his career and personal development.
“Test cricket is literally the reason that I am the person that I am,” he said.
“It has taught me so many lessons through the years, built my resilience to a lot of things. I think the fulfilment you get from putting in a shift in a day’s cricket is different to anything else you can do in the game.”
Anderson made a strategic decision to curtail his involvement in white-ball cricket in order to prolong his Test career. As a result of this focus, he currently ranks third among all-time leading wicket-takers in Test cricket, trailing only spin maestros Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka and Australia’s Shane Warne.
“I know you can earn a lot of money from bowling four overs (in T20 cricket), but for me personally, I would never get the same sort of joy or fulfilment from taking wickets that are caught on the boundary compared to really giving a batter a working-over and figure someone out,” he said.
“I just hope there are enough kids and young professionals out there who still want that to be the case, rather than going chasing the dollar.”
Anderson’s departure from Test cricket was compelled by the England cricket authorities, driven by their strategic aim to rebuild the team in preparation for the upcoming 2025/26 Ashes series in Australia.
While acknowledging that his career inevitably had to “end at some point”, Anderson insists he is “bowling as well as I ever have”.
When questioned about the possibility of continuing his career, the paceman replied: “It’s difficult to say. I’ve not really got a choice.”
Ahead of the series at Lord’s, England has unveiled a revamped squad, with veteran Anderson, who turns 42 later this month, joining debutants wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and fast bowler Gus Atkinson in the lineup.
Under the leadership of Ben Stokes, England, currently ranked third globally, has adopted an aggressive and entertaining style of cricket in recent years, although their Test record shows four wins in the last 11 matches. Following a 4-1 defeat in India earlier this year, coach Brendon McCullum pledged to refine their aggressive approach, known as “Bazball” in his honor.
Meanwhile, the West Indies, ranked eighth, have seen a resurgence despite their historical dominance waning since the 1980s. Their January victory over Australia in Brisbane marked their first Test win on Australian soil in 27 years, a feat celebrated by former captain Jason Holder, who is set to return to Test cricket after missing that tour. Holder expressed his joy for the team’s achievement, highlighting their potential against top-tier teams.
“It gave me a renewed energy to come back to the group and try to be a part of something special again.”
