As I Get Older, I Feel Like I Have To Work That Little Bit Harder In Gym: James Anderson

England’s bowling stalwart James Anderson on Wednesday opened up on the reason behind his fitness that keeps him playing for so long in the international arena.

Anderson, who picked three Indian wickets at Headingley in the first hour of the play, is playing in his 19th year of international cricket for England. With 629 Test scalps, the 39-year-old is England’s leading wicket-taker and also has picked most wickets by a fast bowler.

The biggest test in Test cricket is mentally getting yourself up for bowling big spells: James Anderson

The England bowler said to bowl long spells in Test cricket, one has to mentally fit in their games and stay relaxed while they are not bowling.

“As I get older, I feel like I have to work that little bit harder in the gym. I feel like I bowl less in the nets, and try to save it for when it matters in the middle,” the 39-year-old said after the first day’s play,” Anderson said in a virtual press conference after the gameplay of Day 1.

“The biggest test in Test cricket is mentally getting yourself up for bowling big spells and playing in big games. It’s about keeping yourself switch on through games and switch off when you are not bowling — that’s something I’ve always had,” he added.

It gives so much satisfaction knowing that I have put a shift in for the team: James Anderson

After England suffered a 151-run loss at Lord’s, more than the defeat the limelight of the match was on the on-field heated moments that happened between Anderson and Indian players. The England player mentioned that the team made effort to focus on their game and avoid the outside noise.

“Walking off the pitch during the second Test at Lord’s, pretty much everything hurt, but that gives so much satisfaction knowing that I have put a shift in for the team,” Anderson said.

“We have made a conscious effort of trying to just focus on us, on what we do well and try and ignore everything else, the outside noise or wherever there might be going on, and make sure there’s a real focus on what we do well,” he added.

Anderson is just behind Shane Warne (708) and Muttiah Muralitharan (800) as the third-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket.

Also Read: England vs India 3rd Test: “These Days Don’t Come Around Very Often” – James Anderson Cherishes Day-One Performance