James Anderson, the seasoned former England fast bowler, is embracing a new challenge. At 42, he’s making waves at Lancashire, diving back into T20 cricket after a staggering 11-year hiatus. Reflecting on the past, Anderson admits, “I feel like I’ve missed out over the last 10 years. It is so much fun.”
Anderson is set to play against Worcestershire on Friday evening and has already impressed in the Vitality Blast. In just three matches, he’s taken seven wickets at an average of 10.14, while maintaining an economy rate of 6.45. His standout performance was his 3 for 17 against Durham.
While Anderson remains England’s leading wicket-taker in ODI cricket with 269 wickets, his T20 international career was limited to 18 wickets in 19 matches. His last appearance in a T20I was way back in 2009 against South Africa. “I was really nervous before my first game,” Anderson confessed, highlighting the challenge of adapting to the fast-paced format.
In spite of his lengthy absence from T20 cricket, Anderson attributes his successful adaptation to his continuous quest for improvement. “I’ve always had slower balls, but it’s getting back into nailing them down,” he explained. His commitment to skill development was well-known throughout his Test career, particularly with his mastery of the wobble-seam delivery.
The absence of a slip cordon in T20 cricket has been an adjustment for Anderson. “All of my wickets have been caught either in the ring or on the boundary. But that is the nature of the game,” he noted. Even with edges going for boundaries, Anderson finds joy in the format. “I have found it really fun.”
Anderson’s enthusiasm for the format is infectious. “I am trying to learn all the time and tap into the other guys who’ve played a lot of T20 cricket,” he said. Despite not being selected in the IPL auction or The Hundred draft, his desire to extend his career in short-format cricket is evident, reflecting both his passion for the game and his unwavering dedication.
