At an age when cricketers like him put on their boots for the final time, England’s great fast bowler James Anderson is finding the thrill of T20 cricket all over again. Back in the Vitality Blast after 11 years, the 42-year-old seam bowler has made a big impact for Lancashire, taking 7 wickets in only 3 games at a mean of 10.14 and economy rate of 6.45. His best returns this season, 3 for 17 were in his return game against Durham.
Anderson, who has 991 international wickets, conceded in a recent function that though he has no complain about his Test career, he wishes he played more T20 cricket in the last ten years.
“I’m thoroughly enjoying it. I’ve only played three games so far, but I now realize I made the mistake of avoiding T20s for the past 10 years,” Anderson stated.
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Feeling Anxious but Enjoying the Challenge
Having spent years with Lancashire, Anderson is now fully integrated into the T20 squad franchise. He admitted to feeling nervous before his comeback but is enjoying making a difference.
“I was anxious ahead of my initial comeback match, but it is wonderful to be contributing again and forming connections with the squad at a deeper level,” he explained.
What’s Driving the Comeback?
Anderson credits his comeback to his eagerness to learn. He claimed he’s watching T20 cricket, The Hundred, and international cricket all the time in order to pick up new tactics. Famous for his smart variations, Anderson averred that his slower balls have been a powerhouse ever since, but these days he’s working on the timing and execution.
Adapting to Contemporary T20 Strategy
The seasoned bowler also noted the tactical differences between Test and T20 cricket – particularly in field placements and wicket-taking methods.
“Most of my wickets have come either in the inner ring or near the boundary. I’m not seeing those slip catches like in Tests,” he said, highlighting the shift in dynamics.
Snubbed in IPL and The Hundred
In spite of his comeback, Anderson went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction and wasn’t even selected in The Hundred draft. There remains a remote possibility that he could be drafted as a wildcard, but till then, he’s concentrating on playing well in the county league.
“There’s a lot of cricket coming up in the county season. I’ve got two T20s and two Championship games ahead. The goal is to stay fit and keep performing,” he concluded.
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