James Anderson speaks about his retirement plans ahead of Ashes

Veteran England pacer James Anderson opened up about his retirement plans ahead of the upcoming Ashes. Anderson, often regarded as the most successful seamer in Test cricket history, shows no signs of ageing and does not look like calling time on his career any time soon. Since turning 40, he has picked 28 wickets in the longest format at an average of just 17.21.

Anderson admitted that he does not want to “drag it out” and said he would like to be able to retire on a nice note. He added that he hopes to be in the same situation as England’s World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan, who retired from international cricket last year.

“I don’t want to drag it out and people are thinking: ‘Can you just do one’. I would like to be able to go out on a nice note. Morgs last year woke up and just knew it was time to call it a day. I am just hoping that is the case,” Anderson told the Telegraph.

I feel privileged to have got in a position where I can make a decision: Anderson

The 40-year-old went on to say that he feels privileged to be in a position where he can make a decision because as a bowler it is usually taken out of their hands by injury or selection. He added that it will be good to go out on his own terms but when that will be you, you have to just have to wait and see.

“I feel privileged to have got in a position where I can make a decision because as a bowler it is usually taken out of your hands with injury or selection. It will be nice to go out on my own terms but when that will be you just have to wait and see,” he added.

Anderson did not play in England’s recent one-off Test against Ireland, but he is confident that he will be fine against Australia. He only bowled four overs in the 2019 Ashes before a calf injury forced him to miss the entire series. He claims that this time the injury is not as serious because he has had more time to rest.

“I felt I had let the guys down. Unfortunately, it can happen. This time the injury is not as serious. I have had more time to rest it, recover and build it up. I will have to be honest about how I am feeling,” he said.