'Ab coaching me aa jao bas' - Fans react as James Anderson gives major update on his Test career ahead of final Ashes Test 2023

James Anderson (Source: Twitter)

Speculations about senior England pacer James Anderson's retirement from international cricket have been doing the rounds for a few years now, and it has intensified after his lacklustre performance so far in the ongoing Ashes series. The 40-year-old managed just four wickets in the series, but he continues to insist that he still has the hunger to play Test cricket for England.

The veteran seamer took one wicket in the first innings of the first Test at Edgbaston and two wickets in the second Test at Lord's. After being rested in the third Test, Anderson failed to make a strong comeback in Manchester as he could only take one wicket. Following a string of poor performances, many believe it is time for the legendary cricketer to hang up his boots.

Meanwhile, Anderson is confident about his bowling abilities and made it clear that retirement is not on his mind at the moment. The right-arm speedster, who has taken the most Test wickets among the pacers, admitted that his performance in the 2023 Ashes did not go as he would have liked. However, he added that he is working hard and trying to give his best for the team.

"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," Anderson wrote in a Telegraph column.

"10 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," he continued.

I feel like I'm bowling well: Anderson

Anderson also stated that he believes he bowled well in the third Test at Old Trafford and is eager to contribute to his team if he gets the chance to play in the fourth match at the Oval, which begins on Thursday, July 27.

"There are no thoughts about retirement. 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," he added.

Here's how fans reacted to James Anderson's remark: 

Bhai ye sirf or sirf sachin ka 200 test ka record todne ke liye khel rha hai.

Nahi to kb ka retirement le leta

— The unpopular (@Theunpopular7b) July 26, 2023

Ab Coaching me aa jao bas

— Nifty (HA Trade Talk) (@HATradeTalk1) July 26, 2023

Jab tak aasman mein Cloud rhega tab tak Clouderson team mein rhega

— Vaibhav (@your_nemesis06) July 26, 2023

Hunger for killing Youngsters cricket life🥺

— HUMAN😎 (@vk_kingdom12345) July 26, 2023

He is aiming for 700 wickets and probably to surpass warne

— Ibrahim (@Ibrahim38463779) July 26, 2023

He will eat pengland test cricket in his hunger 🤣🫵🤤

— A (@A_tommy_7) July 26, 2023

Having hunger is good but you must know how to cook good food to cater that hunger 😇😄

— Shubham (@Free_0pinion) July 26, 2023

Evergreen immortal eternal legend

— Satya P Singh(spbtctrade) (@spsinghweb) July 26, 2023

He has too much hunger.



40 years old 🫡#Respect

— Saikat Ghosh (@Ghosh_Analysis) July 26, 2023

Too much hunger is not good. Let young guns come in.

— Lalit Jha (@lal1tjha) July 26, 2023

And it doesn't matter if I take wickets or not,but hunger is there........ 😂

— c b pareek (@superstarjsr) July 26, 2023