Southampton: England star James Anderson made a record on Tuesday (August 25) when he became the first pacer ever to take 600 wickets in the Test cricket. The right-arm bowler has now set his vision on a new challenge and revealed that the England team management has asked him to continue for the next 18 months until the next Ashes.
Jimmy said, that he has more to offer while even indicating that the 700-wicket label might be within his reach. He reached the milestone dismissing Pakistan captain Babar Azam on the final day of the third Test.
🚨 James Anderson back in the top 10 🚨
— ICC (@ICC) August 26, 2020
After bagging his record 600th victim and 29th five-for in the third #ENGvPAK Test, Anderson has moved up six places in the @MRFWorldwide ICC Test Rankings for bowlers 🔥 pic.twitter.com/b58ydPYf0N
“I’ve chatted to Joe about this a little bit and he has said he would like me to be in Australia,” Anderson said after the game. “I don’t see any reason why I can’t be. I’m working hard on my fitness all the time. I’m working hard on my game.
“I didn’t bowl as well as I’d have liked for the whole summer. But in this Test, I was really on it and I feel like I’ve still got stuff to offer this team. As long as I still feel like that I think I’ll keep going. I don’t think I’ve won my last Test matches as an England cricketer yet. Can I reach 700? Why not?
“We’re still in the Test championship,” Anderson said. “There are still series ahead of us and Test matches to win. That’s all I’m really interested in. I still love turning up every day at training, putting in the hard yards and being in the dressing room with the lads trying to forge a win for England. That’s all I’ve really ever bothered about and what I’ll keep trying to do. I’ll keep working hard in the gym and keeping myself available for selection,” he added.
6⃣0⃣0⃣ Test wickets ✔️
— ICC (@ICC) August 26, 2020
7⃣0⃣0⃣ Test wickets ❓
“Why not?” pic.twitter.com/2Eykq5P722
“There will be decisions along the way with the selectors and coach and captain around how the team moves forward but as long as they want me around I’ll keep working hard and try to prove I’m good enough to play in this team,” Anderson said.
“To be honest, I’m just delighted I have managed to play for as long as I have and enjoy some success playing a sport I love. I have worked really hard with my skills over the years and I am fortunate enough that I get to do it at the top level playing for my country.
“Looking back to that first Test, I never thought I would get anywhere near 600 Test wickets. I just feel very fortunate and privileged that I have been able to do that for a long period of time,” he concluded.
