James Anderson insists his history-making 700th Test wicket was “nothing to rejoice” after England’s series defeat in India and is already trying to book his place within the side this summer.
Anderson became the primary fast bowler to succeed in the remarkable landmark when he dismissed Kuldeep Yadav in Dharamsala, joining spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne in certainly one of cricket’s most elite clubs.
The 41-year-old seamer has been collecting various records since he first surpassed Sir Ian Botham as England’s leading wicket-taker back in 2015 and, together with his big moment coming in an innings defeat and a 4-1 loss overall, he was pleased to downplay the importance of an achievement which is unlikely to be matched.
“I didn’t really rejoice, I’ll be honest. There’s nothing to rejoice,” he told his Tailenders podcast.
“My dad was here so I had a drink with my dad, which was nice. He was more excited than I used to be. Possibly I might’ve felt more excited if we’d have won the Test or the series.
“I don’t understand how I felt really.”
Anderson has been garlanded with praise, including his former captain Nasser Hussain’s suggestion that his final profession tally will at some point go down alongside the nice Sir Donald Bradman’s batting average of 99.94, but claimed that was not the type of of glory he sought.
“That’s irrelevant to me. I don’t get anything out of what other people say,” he added.
“I don’t play cricket to get personal milestones, I suppose. I would like to win games. I like playing a team sport, that’s once I get the most important buzz. So I’m just a little flat because we lost 4-1 within the series.”
Anderson has been swatting aside questions over when he might hang up his boots for several years but looked fit, held his pace and bowled skilfully enough to go away no doubt that he can be in contention for one more domestic season in 2024, with England facing Test series against the West Indies and Sri Lanka.
“I’m really excited for the summer. I’m definitely in one of the best shape I’ve ever been in,” he said.
“I’m not getting any worse. I like where my game is at and I still have that enjoyment of turning up day-after-day and attempting to recover within the nets.
“My place within the team will not be a given, so I’ve started working hard to prove I’m value a spot in the summertime.”
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