ENG vs SA: No One Will Be Stupid Enough To Play Tests Till 40 – James Anderson

England talisman James Anderson has expressed concerns over the future of Test cricket after Trent Boult opted out from New Zealand Cricket’s (NZC) central contract list for the 2022-23 season.

On August 10, the NZC announced Boult requested to stay out of the central contract. The 33-year-old’s decision to snub the contract was in a bid to spend more time with his family and increase availability for overseas franchise T20 leagues.

Test cricket will probably bear the brunt of it: James Anderson

Anderson who turned 40 on July 30 will be playing his first Test and overall 173rd in a storied red-ball career for England. The most successful Test fast bowler is apprehensive about the format down the line with players cutting it to play shorter formats.

“It does (worry) because Test cricket will probably bear the brunt of it. The easiest thing to do for bowlers is to bowl four overs or 20 balls. It takes nothing out of you. And if you’re getting paid just as well it probably makes sense – it will tempt more people than not,” Anderson said.

Anderson pointed out that there will be more cases like Boult in future.

“It is [a big deal that Boult made this choice] because he is such a high-profile international player and I can definitely see it happening more and more now, particularly with bowlers,” he added.

No one will be stupid enough to play Test cricket till 40: James Anderson

Anderson is set to join an elite list of pace bowlers that includes former England players Basil D’Oliviera, Les Jackson, Sir Gubby Allen, George Geary to play a Test match after turning 40.

Anderson, who has claimed 657 dismissals in 172 games, doesn’t expect any bowler from the current times to replicate this particular milestone.

“Definitely not after that because no one will be stupid enough. Everything that has gone in the world with franchise cricket, the Hundred, short forms of the game, I can’t see anyone wanting to play Test cricket for this long,” the 40-year-old mentioned.

Anderson is likely to lead England’s bowling unit in the first Test against South Africa starting on Wednesday (August 17) at Lord’s.

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