Veteran England pacer James Anderson, 40, has come under the scanner of criticism after his subpar performance so far in the ongoing Ashes 2023 series. Australia retained the senior player as the fourth Ashes Test ended in a draw after the fifth day was washed. The visitors are currently leading the series 2-1 but England will look forward to ending the series with a win and make it 2-2 in the final Test match starting tomorrow.
Notably, Anderson, who has 689 Test wickets to his name, has only four wickets in the three Tests of this series at a hugely expensive average of 76.75 apiece. He took just one wicket at Old Trafford after being rested for England’s win in the third Test at Headingley.
Anderson Expressed His Hunger To Play More Test Cricket
Amidst all the criticism, in his latest column for The Telegraph, James Anderson has expressed his hunger to play for England. He admitted that he wasn’t able to meet the expectations in the ongoing series. He wrote:
“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. Ten 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.”
Further, Anderson expressed that he loves playing Test cricket and he still has a hunger in him. He wrote:
I love playing Test cricket as much as I ever have and this is my favourite period as an England cricketer. Just being around this group, the way we play and how we enjoy ourselves on the field. There are no thoughts about retirement.”
He added:
“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.”
James Anderson Is Getting Trolled
Meanwhile, his comments went viral on the internet and sparked a lot of reactions from the fans. There were many who trolled him for his “I want still have the hunger to play for England” comment.
Check out the reactions of the fans:
