England failed in their quest to regain the Ashes as rain thwarted their attempt to secure a series-levelling victory at Old Trafford. Recalled for the fourth Test at his home ground, James Anderson claimed one wicket in the game, of Australia captain and No.9 Pat Cummins. He has a bowling average north of 75 this series.

Anderson will turn 42 before the end of the Kia Oval Test. England’s next Test series is in India… in early 2024. However, he declared that he is yet to consider calling it quits, and is currently enjoying his “favourite period as an England player”.

“I have certainly not had the returns I would have liked in this series,” he wrote. “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.

“I keep talking to the coach and captain. They want me around, so as long as I am still hungry, 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.

“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.”

Anderson defended his efforts in the ongoing Ashes series, while admitting his frustrations at struggling to contribute: “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. There are always one or two players who have a lean series. It can be a batter who gets good balls and then a bit of bad luck. It felt like that was my week in Manchester. I felt like I beat the bat plenty of times, but just didn’t take the wickets that you want as a bowler to help the team win.

“There were a couple of times when I bowled a tight five over spell then Woody [Mark Wood] came on and took a wicket straightaway. It feels like maybe I created the pressure, then Woody came on and let loose. It’s teamwork.

“The funny thing is, you know you’re having a bad series when everyone else has footage of their wickets clipped together and put up on Instagram but the only post about me is doing kick-ups with the cricket ball when it has been patted back to me out in the middle.

“I’ve chatted to a few of the guys because it is frustrating when you go through this. You are frustrated and desperate to help the team, desperate to win games. But unfortunately for me it was not to be this series. I’ve still got another game to go if I do get a chance and I will try and do the best I can.”

The final Test will take start on July 27 at the Kia Oval.