'Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost' - Fans react as James Anderson plays down retirement rumours in latest column

The Ashes 2023 is at its ultimate stages. The final Test will be played at the Oval, London from July 27 to July 31. While Australia are leading the series 2-1, they were helped a lot by the rain in the fourth Test at Old Trafford. England can now only tie the series which means, Australia have retained the Ashes urn for the fourth consecutive time. However, England’s premier pacer James Anderson has been unable to make the sort of impact he did in his prime years.

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He will turn 41 next Sunday, July 30. As such, there have been speculations about his retirement. However, in his latest column in the Telegraph, he has played down these rumours. "There are no thoughts about retirement," Anderson wrote. "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.”

James Anderson is looking forward to bowling in the fifth Test of Ashes 2023

"It is just one of those things. There are always one or two players who have a lean series. It can be a batter who gets good balls and then a bit of bad luck. It felt like that was my week in Manchester. I felt like I beat the bat plenty of times but just didn't take the wickets that you want as a bowler to help the team win. There were a couple of times when I bowled a tight five-over spell then Woody came on and took a wicket straightaway. It feels like maybe I created the pressure, then Woody came on and let loose. It's teamwork," he added.

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He also talked about bowling in the fifth and final Ashes 2023 Test at The Oval, London. "I've chatted to a few of the guys because it is frustrating when you go through this," Anderson wrote. "You are frustrated and desperate to help the team, desperate to win games. But unfortunately for me, it was not to be this series. I've still got another game to go if I do get a chance and I will try and do the best I can."

Here’s how fans reacted:

Sachin banta ja rha dheere dheere retirement hi nhi le rha

— No One (@NoOne1178148) July 26, 2023

Ab to sharam karle bumrah

— satyam (@ffssatyam) July 26, 2023

Year 2060:- Jimmy Anderson confirms he isn't thinking about retirement.

— aman • (@6o4AM) July 26, 2023

Bad for test cricket.

— paRaY_YasiR ✍️ (@ParayYasir2) July 26, 2023

Jimmy in 2040 pic.twitter.com/NuquKuWB5u

— Lazy Launda (@_lazylaunda) July 26, 2023

But stokes is thinking about his retirement by not selecting him 😭😭

— 𝑨𝑩𝕏𝑫 (@abxdalt) July 26, 2023

He should break 200 test record.

— अर्जुन पंडित। (@PanditArjun98) July 26, 2023

He must be thinking of playing 200 test matches or becoming the 2nd highest Wicket taker bowler. But he should take retirement.

— Shivam 🍂 (@shivammm_) July 26, 2023