'Stop Being Silly'- James Anderson Reveals How His Wife Convinced Him Not To Retire In 2019

Ace England speedster James Anderson, who is the highest wicket-taker for the country in Test cricket with 617 scalps in 162 Tests, revealed that it was his wife Daniella who had stopped him from retiring from international cricket post the 2019 Ashes against Australia.

James Anderson had suffered an injury in the first Test of the Ashes 2019 against Australia and contemplated not going through rehab once again and hanging up his boots. The right-handed pacer had managed just four overs after a calf injury ruled him out.

A Big Reason I Am Still Playing Cricket Is My Wife: James Anderson

James Anderson admitted that he was struggling with the prospect of more rehabilitation work and was even thinking of retiring, but his wife Daniella told him not to be silly and got him back to work on his injury and kept him from quitting.

He has claimed 42 more Test wickets at a cost of 23.00 since then, becoming the only seamer in Test history to reach the milestone of 600 wickets.

“A big reason I am still playing cricket is my wife. She’s been really supportive. When I pulled my calf in the first Ashes Test, it was the second or third time I had pulled my calf and I was really considering whether I wanted to go through the rehab again. She basically took us away on holiday and told me to stop being silly. She told me to carry on.

My wife has been really supportive. She wants me to keep playing; she encourages me to keep playing. She’s quite happy for me not to be around the house I think,” Anderson said on eve of Anderson was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo ahead of the first Test against India.

“Absolutely Not”: James Anderson On Retirement

Anderson, who celebrated his 39^th birthday 10 days ago, ruled out any suggestion that the next 10 Tests (five against India and five against Australia) could prove the finale of his career.

“Absolutely not. I feel like I’m bowling as well as ever. I feel great physically. I’m just looking forward to this series against India. We’ll look at everything else once we’re past this. That’s something I’ve done really well throughout my career. But right now I’m bowling as well as I ever have and I’m really looking forward to this series,” Anderson said.

Anderson has an excellent record at Trent Bridge. In 10 Tests at the ground, he has claimed 64 wickets at an average of 19.62 apiece with seven five-wicket hauls. He also made his highest score – 81 – here against India in 2014.

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