AUS vs ENG: "James Anderson Should Have Retired This Week"- Steve Harmison

James Anderson is still not retired after Ashes 2023. The 41-year-old England fast bowler picked up just five wickets from the four Tests he played in the series. His long-time friend and teammate Stuart Broad retired after the Ashes series with 604 Test wickets.

Former England pacer Steve Harmison said that he would have loved to see James Anderson retire after the series. The series ended 2-2 after England won the fifth Test at The Oval. England managing to draw the series after being 0-2 down is one of the greatest comebacks in Ashes history.

Anderson picked up just five wickets in the series at an average of 85.40. He admitted that his poor form was not due to his age but due to a lean patch that he is going through in his career.

Speaking to a British media house, Steve Harmison said that he would have loved to see Anderson retire from Test cricket earlier this week.

“I would have loved to have seen him retire this week. Not because of ability and age, I just think going out at the top against Australia is always the best way to go” said Steve Harmison.

“He’s been unlucky this series as he got an injury just before the first Test and missed a bit of cricket. I thought he didn’t have that zip that’s made him so potent for a number of years. Whether that’s just out of rhythm or the age factor, only Jimmy knows” he further said.

Will James Anderson Play India Series: Steve Harmison

He further said that the veteran can announce his retirement on his own terms but the team needs to make a decision. He further questioned whether Anderson is planning to play the India series next year.

“Is Jimmy going to be one of their best three seamers in India over those five Test matches? He might play one or two, but can he get through to next summer? Will England even take him to India?”

ECB will be offering new central contracts next month and Harmison feels Anderson’s call to continue playing leaves them in an awkward position.

“If Jimmy doesn’t fit into that, who has that conversation with him? I think there’s a lot of talking to do between Jimmy and the hierarchy at the ECB about the road ahead but fingers crossed he gets to next summer because I wouldn’t like to see him go out with an injury or with him not being picked” he concluded saying.