England’s legendary pacer James Anderson is not keen on retiring from the game any time soon despite his age and his poor form in the ongoing Ashes against Australia.
Anderson, who turns 41 on Sunday, is England's highest wicket-taker in Tests with 690 wickets. But he has claimed only five wickets in the Ashes so far at an average of nearly 75.
Anderson said he would continue to don the whites for England as long as skipper Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum want him.
"As soon as you get into your thirties as a bowler, people are asking how long you've got left. But in the past three or four years, I've bowled as well as I ever have," Anderson told the BBC.
"I feel like I've been in so much control, my body has been in a good place, my skills are as good as they ever have been. The numbers, the wickets, the selection side of it is a completely different issue.
"If Stokesy and Baz (McCullum) say 'You've not got the wickets we would have liked,' then I'd be absolutely fine with that. In terms of retirement, I've got no interest in going any time soon."
Anderson, who suffered a groin injury just before the Ashes, admitted that he was going through a "lean patch" but backed himself to make a comeback in the second innings of the final Test where Australia lead the hosts by 12 runs.
The Oval Test is his last chance to prove his worth this year with England not featuring in red-ball cricket again until they visit India in January.
"I've still got another innings to try to do something for the team," he added.
"I don't feel like I'm bowling badly or losing pace or that I'm on the way out. I still feel I can offer a lot to this team."
- James Anderson