Jimmy Anderson not ready to think about retirement: "For me, age is irrelevant"

Anderson ripped through the South African tail at Newlands to help the tourists into a position of control in the second Test, a welcome return to form after six months of injury trouble

anderson060101

Jimmy Anderson says "age is irrelevant" after the England veteran claimed his 28th five-wicket haul in Test cricket at 37 years old.

Anderson ripped through the South African tail at Newlands to help the tourists into a position of control in the second Test, a welcome return to form after six months of injury trouble.

The seamer bowled just four overs in the Ashes and missed the trip to New Zealand, leading some pundits to question whether it might be time for the most prolific Test quick of all time to retire.

However, he does not seem to be ready to contemplate calling it a day any time soon, as he looks to add to his 582 wickets in the format.

"For me, age is irrelevant," he told BBC Sport. "I feel good and work hard at my fitness."

"As the grey hairs and wrinkles creep in, people will wonder how long I can go on for.

anderson060102

Jimmy Anderson has 28 Test five-fors

"Hopefully I keep putting in performances and if I keep doing that, who knows how long I can go for?"

Anderson's first-innings 5-40 at Cape Town ensured his now holds the English record for the most five-wicket hauls in Tests outright, surpassing Sir Ian Botham's 27.

But landmarks are not on his mind.

"I don't really think about those milestones, all I was thinking about was being ruthless in our bowling," he said.

After a long absence from the international arena, Anderson has settled into the Test rhythm once more.

"The biggest thing for me at Centurion was getting through it," he said of his return to the team in the first match of the series.

"I was a bit rusty, but I feel up to speed in this game.

"I missed Test cricket, it gives you a buzz when you get out there."

SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Comments

LATEST NEWS

STAY UP TO DATE Sign up to our newsletter...
SIGN UP

Thank You! Thank you for subscribing!

Units 7-8, 35-37 High St, Barrow upon Soar, Loughborough, LE128PY

website@thecricketer.com

Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.