According to Stuart Broad, veteran seamer James Anderson, who is approaching 40, remains deeply passionate about cricket and continues to improve with age. The prolific England duo is expected to play crucial roles in their ninth Ashes campaign.

Anderson’s performance shows no signs of decline, and he continues to excel. With 685 wickets, he is England’s leading bowler in Test matches and recently became the oldest player to top the ICC test rankings. Despite turning 41 next month, Anderson has recovered from a groin injury and confirmed his fitness for the Ashes opener at Edgbaston.

Speaking on the Legends of the Ashes podcast, Broad praised Anderson’s unwavering competitiveness and described him as addicted to cricket. Anderson is driven to train and constantly improve his game, a trait that is evident in his remarkable performances. At 40, he is arguably bowling better than he was four years ago, which is a testament to his dedication and love for the sport.

Anderson and Broad, who were omitted from England’s tour of the West Indies following a disappointing Ashes series in Australia, bring invaluable experience to the team. Their absence was felt during the Caribbean tour, highlighting the significance of their presence in the squad.

While England’s aggressive batting style under captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum has brought them success, having wicket-taking bowlers like Broad and Anderson is crucial to back up the batting firepower. As the most lethal bowling partnership in test history, they have collectively taken 1,017 wickets in 134 tests. England will rely on their combined skills to challenge Australia in the upcoming Ashes series.

Broad also acknowledged that Anderson has grown as a player over the past year, particularly with the new leadership of Stokes and McCullum. Their partnership focuses on analyzing and adapting to the conditions in the early overs of a match, allowing them to make breakthroughs. Effective communication and a constant flow of information have elevated their partnership to a new level.