Although James Anderson has retired from Test cricket, his impact on the England team continues to resonate strongly, according to fast bowler Matthew Potts. Anderson concluded his illustrious Test career with 704 wickets in 188 matches, becoming the leading fast bowler in the all-time records.
Following his retirement after a match against the West Indies at Lord’s in July, the 42-year-old transitioned into a mentoring role for England’s young bowlers, and Potts has expressed appreciation for the wealth of knowledge Anderson brings to the squad. “It’s an awesome experience to have so much knowledge in the dressing room,” Potts, 25, stated at a press conference on Thursday, ahead of the fourth one-day international against Australia. “Being able to tap into that knowledge whenever you want, he gives it freely.”
While Anderson focused on extending his Test career by stepping away from white-ball formats, Potts remains a multi-format player, currently participating in the ongoing five-match ODI series against Australia, where England is trailing 2-1. He has also been named in the squad for next month’s three-Test tour of Pakistan.
Potts, along with teammates like Harry Brook and Ben Duckett, faces a tight schedule, transitioning from the Australia series on Sunday to a flight to Multan on Tuesday. “That’s the beauty of being a multi-format cricketer,” he remarked. “You’ve got to be ready for every eventuality, but at the same time, be able to compartmentalize for different things. I’ve got all the stuff packed but I’m focused on this white-ball series first.”
As the competition among England’s fast bowlers intensifies, Potts is keen to enhance his speed without sacrificing accuracy. “I think one of my key assets is control, but it’s about exploring the boundaries in which I can keep control and try and find my peak speed,” he explained. “As you push your average speed up, your peak speed should generally go up as well. I’ll try to keep up at 84-85 miles per hour (135-137 km/h) consistently throughout the day.”
