James Anderson has put his exit in hand of other people after poor Ashes series, says Ottis Gibson

Former England head coach Ottis Gibson feels James Anderson has put his exit in the hands of other people after a poor show in the Ashes against Australia. After Stuart Broad called time on his Test career, many cricket pundits, including Gibson expected Anderson to follow suit. However, Anderson has said he wants to keep going at the top level despite turning 41 recently.

Anderson could only manage five wickets in four Ashes Tests against the arch-rivals at a poor average of 85.40. The veteran failed to create any impact with the ball in the Ashes but has no immediate plans of hanging his boots.

Meanwhile, Anderson will want to take a couple of months before he once again gets back to bowling. Anderson will want to be at his best for the forthcoming tour of India, where England will play five Test matches.

Anderson has taken 34 wickets from 13 Tests, with an average of 29.32 while playing in the tough Indian conditions. There is no doubt that Anderson’s experience will be vital for bowlers like Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, Mark Wood, and Chris Woakes but it will be interesting to note if he will be backed for the India tour.

“It’s just my opinion, but Jimmy has now put his exit in the hands of other people,” Gibson said to Yorkshire Post in an interview.

“He’s not had the best series. They could have walked off together (Anderson and Broad). Fantastic, great careers,” Gibson further added.

Meanwhile, Anderson and Broad were dropped from England’s Test squad for the tour of the West Indies in 2022. Gibson feels Anderson should have called it quits after the Ashes.

“It’s only a year ago he was left out of the tour to the Caribbean, and I know how hurt he was at that,” Gibson said.

“Again, it’s just my opinion, but I feel like he’s put himself now at the mercy of other people when it comes to his exit from the game,” the former cricketer concluded.

Anderson has scalped 690 wickets in 183 Test matches at an average of 26.42.