"Would've tried to get James Anderson to play in The Hundred 2024" - Moeen Ali

Birmingham Phoenix skipper Moeen Ali made interesting comments about Test specialist James Anderson's white-ball aspirations. Moeen Ali admitted that James Anderson would have been called to his team in case of an injury in the bowling department during the ongoing 2024 Hundred season.

James Anderson recently mentioned that he is considering a return to white-ball cricket after watching the ball movement in The Hundred 2024. The right-arm pacer last played a T20 match for Lancashire in the 2014 T20 Blast final. Anderson is now retired from international duties across all formats.

Anderson announced his retirement from international cricket after the first Test match against the West Indies at Lord's last month. He is currently working as the mentor of the bowling department for the England Test team this summer. James Anderson's role is expected to end after the Sri Lanka series.

The 42-year-old has played in 44 T20 matches, taking 41 wickets at an average of 32.14 and an economy rate of 8.47, with best figures of 3/23. Anderson secured 18 wickets in 19 T20I appearances at an average of 30.66 and an economy rate of 7.84. He last played a T20I match in 2009 against South Africa.

Would Have Tried To Call Up James Anderson - Moeen Ali

Speaking after Birmingham Phoenix qualified for the Eliminator clash, Moeen Ali said that James Anderson would have been a great addition to his team in The Hundred 2024. Moeen added that Anderson would bring a lot to the team in conditions favoring swing.

"Last year we had Woakesy and these guys, they bowled outstandingly well. You want that Test bowler, who can hit a length, swing the ball. If we had an injury, I would honestly have tried to call up Jimmy Anderson, because he would have been awesome. They've been swinging it every game. If we had an injury, I have been talking about it," Moeen Ali said.

"I would've tried to get Jimmy to play. Other teams would do the same. He would be amazing in this format, the way the balls are swinging. Who is better than him, when it's swinging? We had Woody to cover him, but if one of our bowlers went down...! I'm not sure if it's still possible. On Woody, he is a great guy but his experience...you can't beat it. He brings a lot to the team," he added.

Birmingham Phoenix has benefited from a strong seam attack featuring Tim Southee, Sean Abbott, and Adam Milne. The pacers have excelled with the new ball in the tournament. Southee is the third-leading wicket-taker in the event. He has taken 14 wickets in eight matches, including a five-wicket haul.

The Birmingham Phoenix has won four consecutive matches to secure third place in the league phase. They will play against the Southern Brave in the Eliminator match at The Oval on August 17. Defending champions Oval Invincibles have advanced to the final clash due to their superior net run rate (NRR).

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