England’s No.1-ranked Test bowler James Anderson could play Test cricket until he is 40.
That’s the view of England coach Trevor Bayliss, who has described the 36-year-old as the “very, very best” after the part he’s played in England’s 2-0 series lead against India.
[caption id=”attachment_77900″ align=”alignnone” width=”800″]
James Anderson celebrates the wicket of Ishant Sharma on the second day of the second Test [/caption]
Anderson took match-figures of 9-43 in England’s formidable victory in the second Test at Lord’s, and with 553 Test scalps to his name – he’s only ten behind Glenn McGrath’s record tally for a fast bowler – Bayliss believes the Lancashire lad has “three or four years” left at the top.
“He’s not just good when the conditions suit him, but in these conditions he’s the best in the world,” Bayliss said. “A lot of other bowlers do start to drop off mid-30s or so. It’s only the very, very best that are able to keep it going. He’s showing that he is the very, very best.”
James Anderson is bowling as well as ever
Sean Wilson pays tribute to his toughness and dedicationhttps://t.co/oE4PGjOJ1t
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) August 13, 2018
Anderson has shown very little signs of slowing down and last week he expressed his appetite to play for as long as his body permits, despite nursing a long-term shoulder injury.
England announce squad for third Test, but what XI will they pick? #ENGvINDhttps://t.co/Sm3X08vUB5
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) August 13, 2018
Bayliss added: “As long as he keeps his body fit, there’s no reason why he can’t go on for three or four years.”
[breakout id=”0″][/breakout]England named an unchanged squad for the third Test at Trent Bridge, which starts on Saturday, with Ben Stokes omitted. The Durham all-rounder is currently awaiting the outcome of his trial for affray.
