Cricket
Let me tell you that those who play Tests at the age of forty are fools; 40-year-old James Anderson
As the nature and era of cricket changes, so do the preferences of the players. When that happens, you can see the dropout of players from Test cricket.
James Anderson, England’s legend, is of the opinion that in the era of increasing number of Twenty20 leagues, there will be no players who want to play in Test cricket till the age of forty.
Anderson turned 40 last month. He made his Test debut once morest Zimbabwe in 2003 and has taken 657 wickets in 172 matches. He will look to lead the England attack in the first Test of the three-match series once morest South Africa starting Wednesday at Lord’s. Even at the age of 40, he can still be the best bowler in the team.
Opening batsman Graham Gooch was the first player Anderson played following 40 in Tests. He played his last Test in 1994 at the age of 41.
Les Jackson was the last seamer to represent England following the age of 40. At the age of 40, he has played two Test matches for England.
But in the future, he says, players will not be fools to play Tests till the age of 40.
As for who would be the next player to join that age group, Anderson suggested his long-time partner Broad. He is already 36 years old. He said there will be no one following that and everyone is behind franchise cricket.
‘There will be no one following Broad, for no one will be so stupid. Everyone is behind franchise cricket. Behind Hundred League and Twenty20 Cricket Leagues. I can’t see anyone wanting to play Test cricket for that long,’ Anderson said.
He also says that the players who are playing now should try to secure the future of Test cricket. He also added that he was saddened by the retirement of New Zealand bowler Trent Boult.
Content Highlight: James Anderson says no One will be stupid enough to play test cricket at age of 40