Legendary England pace bowler Jimmy Anderson or James Anderson retired from the longest format of the game a month back after playing his final test is likely looking to make a comeback through The Hundred. The English legend has featured in 188 test matches, only behind the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who played in 200 matches in his career, an all-time record.
Anderson, in his 21-year test career, has picked 704 wickets, the first ever pacer to do so, going past the great Glenn McGrath and Stuart Broad, who had picked 563 and 604 wickets in their careers. Though Anderson’s career is more diverse than the others, he remains the 3rd highest wicket-taker in the format, only behind the legendary Shane Warne (708) and Muthiah Muralidaran (800).
Anderson had always set his priorities, as he wanted to feature only in the longest format of the game, not having played a single white-ball game since 2019. Though he still remains England’s all-time highest wicket-taker in the format with 269 wickets to his name.
Anderson, now though retired, has been often seen in the nets, while now he is also aside his team as in a coaching role for the Lankan tests. However, he is about to probably step back prior to the Pakistan and New Zealand series.
That would make him available to move ahead in his career, as he believes he still has a lot to give to the game. Anderson also sighted the ball swinging during the first 20-25 balls of the Hundred, which he feels he still can, despite being aged 42.
ALSO READ: Ben Stokes injured in the Hundred: Likely to miss Sri Lanka tests
Anderson hinting on his probable return
“There’s plenty of things to think about, and I just need to sit down and chat with people about it. I watch the Hundred and see the ball swinging around in the first 20 balls, and I think, ‘I can do that. I can still do that.’ I don’t know if that is a viable option, to maybe see if I could do a job in white-ball cricket. Franchise cricket is something I’ve never done.”
Anderson was last seen in the shortest format of the game back in 2014, never having featured across the global franchise-level tournaments. If Anderson considers coming back with the ball in hand and franchises to rope him in, then he would likely be the greatest to feature in such competitions.
