Retired England pacer James Anderson, who concluded his Test career with an impressive 704 wickets, has decided to put his name in for the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction at the age of 43. Despite stepping away from international cricket as one of the sport’s most successful fast bowlers, Anderson still believes he has more to offer.
In a BBC Radio 4 Today podcast, Anderson shared his desire to gain new experiences and deepen his understanding of the game by participating in the IPL, a competition he has never been part of. Set to be held in Jeddah on November 24-25, the auction has Anderson listed at a base price of Rs 1.25 crore, marking his first step towards a potential IPL stint.
A New Journey for Learning and Growth
Anderson, known as the ‘Burnley Express,’ has not played a T20 match since 2014 and has never appeared in the IPL, making this an unexpected yet exciting move. He explained that his motivation goes beyond just playing in the world’s biggest T20 league. Anderson sees the IPL as an opportunity to both keep learning as a bowler and acquire knowledge that will benefit his coaching aspirations.
Since he retired from Test cricket, he has been involved in mentoring the England team, and he believes exposure to the IPL could enhance his ability to contribute to coaching in the future. “Experiencing something new like this may help me grow my knowledge of the game and assist my coaching down the line,” he noted.
“There is still definitely something in me that thinks like I can still play. I have never done the IPL; I have never experienced it and I think for a number of reasons I feel like I have more to give as a player,” Anderson told BBC Radio 4 Today in a podcast. “I have done a little bit of coaching since I have finished in the summer. I have been around the England team doing a bit of mentoring or whatever you like to call it.”
“I just think opening my eyes to something like that and experiencing it, sort of might help me grow my knowledge of the game and help further down the line,” Anderson again added.
Anderson’s Legacy and Future Aspirations
After a storied career spanning 188 Test matches, Anderson ended as the third-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket history, following legends Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne. Anderson’s desire to keep growing and exploring new roles in cricket reflects his dedication to the sport.
As he considers his transition into coaching, he believes that the IPL could provide invaluable insights into T20 tactics and player management. By immersing himself in this high-profile league, Anderson aims to refine his skills both as a player and as a potential coach, keeping his love for cricket alive and contributing to his ongoing journey in the sport.
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