Veteran England pacer James Anderson has come under the scanner for his below-par showing in the ongoing Ashes series at home.
Anderson has featured in three out of the four Ashes 2023 Tests so far, claiming only four wickets. He was also left out of the third Test at Headingley only to make his way back into the XI for the penultimate Test at Old Trafford.
With England naming an unchanged XI for the fifth Test at The Oval, Anderson will be keen to produce a good spell and help the hosts draw the Ashes series. However, there are speculations that this could be his last Ashes Test, at least in England, considering that he will turn 41 on July 30.
Meanwhile, James Anderson has dismissed the retirement rumours in his latest column for The Telegraph.
"I still feel like I'm bowling well. I have certainly not had the returns I would have liked in this series. Everyone goes through a lean patch but you just don't want it to be in the most high-profile series we play. 10 or 15 years ago the debate would be about whether I should be dropped. Now it is about my future. I understand that. It is The Oval, the end of a series and a time for speculation," Anderson wrote.
"I keep talking to the coach and captain. They want me around, so as long as I am still hungry, and want to put in the work then I will keep trying to give my best for the team. That is exactly where I am at the minute," he added.
Anderson further said that his body is holding up well enough to deal with the rigorous of five-day cricket and he could still contribute to England's success.
"There are no thoughts about retirement. If I was bowling horrendously, with my pace down and hobbling around in the field I might be thinking differently. But the hunger is still there. I feel like I'm bowling well, that I can still offer something to the team."
"I felt like I bowled well at Old Trafford and if I get another chance this week, I will just keep trying the same stuff and hope my luck changes.It is just one of those things," he continued.
England are trailing 1-2 in the Ashes series after four Tests. Rain played spoilsport in the fourth Test at Old Trafford and denied the hosts an opportunity to level the series 2-2.
The Manchester draw also meant that England conceded the urn. The fifth and final Ashes Test will be held at The Oval from July 27.
