Lancashire and England’s James Anderson has already played in nine Ashes series for his country.
But when England returned from Australia at the end of their disastrous 2021/22 Ashes series defeat, Anderson may have feared his England career was over.
At that time, just performing for his county team at Old Trafford in Manchester was potentially all he had to look forward to.
Fast forward 18 months, and he’s about to play in his tenth Ashes series at the age of 40. And after a year of amazing progress, Anderson and England are in with a chance of winning again.
Australia is still the favourite, but only just
James Anderson may well have a chance of winning the Ashes again, especially if the bookmakers are to be believed. The Ashes betting market places Australia at 10/11 to win, still the favourite, but only just.
England is now just 11/8 with the draw at 6/1 in the. In early 2022, anyone looking to bet on cricket steered clear of Australia, a stark contrast to this time around.
The change in fortunes for both the England team and James Anderson is the appointment of a new head coach, Brendon McCullum, and a new captain, Ben Stokes.
Between them, the duo have revitalised the men’s English Test team. Turning it from a laughing stock, into one of the most feared sides in the world.
The duo have also given Anderson a new lease of life in an England jersey. He is now almost the first pick among the bowlers.
This, rather than fearing for his place, in case the management was planning on bringing younger players in to build for the future.
Loyal to the Lancashire cause
James Anderson hails from Burnley, often nicknamed the Burnley Lara by commentators for his left-handed batting stance. He made his first-class debut for Lancashire in 2002, and the Manchester-based County Championship side has been his home ever since.
In May 2003, he made his Test debut for England against Zimbabwe. And but for a spell out of the national team in the late 2000s, Anderson has pretty much been a fixture since.
Last Ashes hurrah for James Anderson… or is it?
Anderson will turn 41 at the end of July. That’s before the scheduled end of the 5th and final Test match of the 2023 series against Australia.
If, as expected, Anderson is playing in that Test match, he could well end up playing in an Ashes series at the age of 41. A remarkable achievement.
James Anderson has already played in nine Ashes series. In total, that’s 35 Test matches home and away. To play another series in his 40s will be a remarkable achievement. But does he have another one in him after this one is completed?
We’ve heard it said for years before the start of a series that this will probably be his last. But never from the man himself.
The next series will be in Australia in 2025/26. That is a long way off. The chances are Anderson won’t be playing international cricket at that time. But it would be foolish to say with any certainty that he won’t be there.
Featured image credit: Nic Redhead (CC BY-SA 2.0)
