London: England pacer James Anderson on Monday dismissed his retirement rumours, saying he is still hungry to play more Test cricket.
The bowler also said that he still wants to play the 2021-22 Ashes in Australia.
The 38-year-old is the highest wicket-taker for any pacer in Test cricket.Ever since the resumption of cricket, Anderson has looked out of colour, and has managed to take just six wickets from three Tests (two against Windies and one against Pakistan).
“It`s been a frustrating week for me personally. I`ve not bowled very well and felt out of rhythm. For the first time in probably 10 years, I got a little bit emotional on the field. I got a bit frustrated and let it get to me a little bit. It reminded me of when I first started playing, when you get frustrated and a little bit angry, you try and bowl quicker and quicker and it doesn`t help,” ESPNCricinfo quoted Anderson as saying.
Yes, I absolutely want to play in the Ashes. But it`s not like that`s a focus of mine. I want to play as long as I possibly can. I`m still hungry to play the game. If I keep bowling the way I did this week, the opportunity to retire will be taken out of my hands. It will be a selection issue. I think the frustration for me this week was the sort of whispers that go around after one bad game. I don`t think that`s really fair, he added.
Anderson also admitted that he was not himself in the recently concluded first Test against Pakistan, and said that if he keeps on bowling this way, then his retirement call might just be taken out of his hand.