JIMMY’S COOKIN’
Anderson closes in on more records and admits: I feel fresh & can’t wait to get going
JIMMY ANDERSON may turn 40 next year, but England’s most prolific pace bowler is in no mood to slow down on the eve of another Test summer.
He will match Alastair Cook’s tally of 161 Tests if he gets the nod to start the series against New Zealand at Lord’s this week.
And the milestones could keep coming for the Burnley Express as he prepares to return to the ground where he made his Test debut in 2003.
Anderson needs just eight scalps to join an elite group of bowlers who have claimed 1,000 firstclass wickets.
But the man himself has more important issues on his mind.
Such as ensuring he plays in as many Test matches as possible in the run-up to another crack at the Aussies in this winter’s Ashes. Preferably with longstanding partner Stuart Broad.
“I’m feeling fresh and looking forward to it,” said Anderson. “We’ve sent a few texts to each other saying it would be nice if we did get to play together.
“Obviously it’s completely down to the coach and captain, what their thinking is. From a team point of view, we want to get some momentum going into a big summer.
“We want to start the summer well and if we pick our strongest team then I’d like to think both Broady and myself are in that.”
It is hard to argue against that, given that the dynamic duo kick off England’s commitments with 1,131 Test wickets between them.
Given the choice, Anderson admits he would love to play all seven Tests against New Zealand and then India.
Despite his record, he acknowledges that is unlikely to happen.
But one definite is that, barring injury, he will pass Cook’s Test tally in the next few months.
Anderson added: “I never imagined in a million years I’d actually get to this point. It does make me feel proud.
“Certainly, for a bowler to play this amount of games has been mind-blowing to me.
“I don’t feel like I’ve played that many games – my body doesn’t feel old or tired. I absolutely love Test cricket, I’ve got a huge passion for it.
“Growing up, all I wanted to do was play Test cricket for England and I’m honoured that I’ve been able to do it for this long.”
Anderson was just 20 when he played his first Test against Zimbabwe all those years ago.
He started as he meant to go on, taking 5 -73 in his first innings – but attracting as many headlines for his hairstyle as his ability with the ball.
Over 600 wickets later, the hair is a far more sober affair. But cricket fans will be raising a glass to his bowling for ever more.
James Anderson and other England stars appear in the LV= Insurance “In With Heart” film celebrating England’s cricket community ahead of the LV= Insurance 1st Test against New Zealand. Watch the video at www.lv.com/gi/cricket