James Anderson targeting Ashes in Australia after taking 600th Test wicket

NICK FRIEND: England are due in Australia at the end of 2021 in an attempt to regain the Ashes. Anderson was part of the last England side to win a Test series down under during Andrew Strauss’ tenure

James Anderson has vowed to keep on running in for England “as long as they want me around”, setting his sights on Australia in the process.

The 38-year-old became the first seamer to take 600 Test wickets when he had Azhar Ali caught at slip by Joe Root on the final day of England’s draw with Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl.

He now sits just 19 wickets behind former India spinner Anil Kumble on the all-time list, with only Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan above him.

England are due in Australia at the end of 2021 in an attempt to regain the Ashes. Anderson was part of the last England side to win a Test series down under during Andrew Strauss’ tenure as captain and he refused to rule out being part of Root’s squad in a year’s time.

“I’ve not thought about it in that much detail, to be honest,” he said, “but I’ve chatted to Rooty about this a little bit and he has said he would like me to be in Australia.

“I don’t see any reason why I can’t be. I’m working hard on my fitness all the time, I’m working hard on my game. I didn’t bowl as well as I’d have liked for the whole summer. This Test match, I felt like I was really on it. I feel like I’ve still got stuff to offer this team.

“As long as I feel like that, I’ll keep going. There will be decisions along the way with the selectors, coach and captain about how the team moves forward, but as long as they want me around, I’ll keep working hard and try to prove that I’m good enough to play in this team.”

^{Anderson dismissed Azhar Ali to take his 600th Test wicket}

He had endured much frustration during this Test prior to the landmark moment – not least with a weather forecast that threatened to wash out his chance of reaching the milestone and a slip cordon that dropped four catches in the space of 37 balls on the game’s third evening.

“[I was] delighted that the catch stuck,” he added. “I don’t really know how to describe it. I felt a little bit emotional out there – very proud and happy that I could celebrate it with my good mates.

“I’m just delighted that I’ve been able to play for as long as I have and enjoy some success with playing the sport I love and doing what I love. I’ve worked really hard on my skills over the years and I’m fortunate enough that I get to do it at the top level, playing for my country.

“I just feel very fortunate and privileged that I get to do that for a long period of time. Looking back on that first Test, I never thought I’d get anywhere near 600 Test wickets, so I’m absolutely over the moon.

“Sharing these moments means a lot to everyone, really. What I love about playing cricket is sharing these moments. Seeing Zak Crawley, a young lad, scoring 267 is just phenomenal and makes you feel privileged to be in the ground and see something like that – the amount of skill and temperament for such a young guy.

James Anderson claims 600th Test wicket

“I think everyone feels like that – we’ve built a culture in this group that we want to share in people’s successes and see people doing well, performing at the top level.”

As for the future, what next? What is left for him to achieve?

“We’re still in this Test Championship, still series ahead of us, games of cricket, Test matches to win,” said.

“That’s all I’m really interested in at the moment. I still love turning up every day, training, putting in the hard yards, being in the dressing room with the lads, putting the yards in during the game and trying to forge a win for England.

“That’s all I’ve ever really bothered about and that’s what I’ll keep trying to do. I don’t think I’ve won my last Test match as an England cricketer yet, so I’ll keep working hard. We don’t know when the next Test match is going to be, so we’ll keep working hard in the gym and keep myself fit and available for selection.”

How about 700 Test wickets?

“Why not?” he added with a smirk. You’d be brave to write him off.

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