LONDON (Reuters) – James Anderson is determined to prove himself worthy of a spot in the England test squad for the upcoming home summer series. Despite being 41 years old, the veteran seamer believes he is currently in the “best shape” of his life. Having recently become the first fast bowler to claim 700 test wickets, Anderson is eager to continue adding to his tally in the upcoming matches against West Indies in July and Sri Lanka in August-September.
In a recent interview on the BBC Tailenders podcast, Anderson expressed his desire to solidify his place in the team through strong performances. He emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards and continuously working on his game. “I’m not getting any worse. I’m definitely in the best shape I’ve ever been in,” he stated confidently.
Anderson also highlighted his enjoyment of the game and the satisfaction he finds in the process of improvement. “I like where my game is at and I still have that enjoyment of turning up every day and trying to get better in the nets,” he said. Acknowledging the competition for places in the squad, Anderson acknowledged the need to work hard to earn his spot.
Despite criticism of England’s aggressive approach following their recent series loss to India, Anderson believes the team is in a positive mindset under the leadership of captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum. Reflecting on the tour of India, Anderson expressed his satisfaction with the team environment and camaraderie. “I really enjoyed this tour. We’ve stuck together really well, we really enjoy being together as a group and there is more to come from this team,” he said.
While acknowledging their shortcomings against a strong Indian team, Anderson remained optimistic about England’s future prospects. “Obviously we’ll come in for some criticism because we did have moments where we didn’t play particularly well but India are really good,” he admitted. With a strong sense of camaraderie and determination to improve, Anderson believes the England team has the potential for further success in the future.
In conclusion, Anderson emphasized his readiness to face the challenges ahead and continue contributing to the team’s success. As he prepares for the upcoming summer series, Anderson remains focused on maintaining his high standards and proving his worth in the England test squad. With a wealth of experience and a renewed sense of vigor, Anderson is determined to make significant contributions to the team’s performance in the upcoming matches.
(Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; editing by Peter Rutherford)
