"I've missed out over the last 10 years" - James Anderson makes big admission about his cricket career

England fast bowling legend James Anderson has admitted that he's missed out on a chance of playing more matches in the T20 format over the last 10 years. Asserting that he has no regrets over his amazing Test career, the 42-year-old added that he would have been happier playing more T20 matches.

Anderson ended his Test career with 704 wickets in 188 matches at an average of 26.45, with 32 five-fers to his credit. He is also England's leading wicket-taker in ODIs, with 269 scalps in 194 matches. However, the right-arm pacer only played 19 T20Is, claiming 18 wickets. In his overall career as well, he has only featured in 47 T20 matches, picking up 48 wickets.

Anderson is currently representing Lancashire in the Vitality Blast. Speaking on the sidelines of a DP World event at Lord's recently, the former England pacer opened up on his T20 career and candidly commented (as quoted by ESPNcricinfo)

"I'm absolutely loving it, it's been amazing. I've only played three games - and my opinion might change very quickly over the next couple of weeks - but I feel like I've missed out over the last 10 years. It is so much fun. I wouldn't change anything in my Test career, but it would have been nice to play a little bit more [T20] over the last 10 years."

The England legend admitted that he was nervous before playing his first T20 match for Lancashire this season. The seasoned campaigner said:

"I was really nervous before my first game, but just being around Lancashire for the last however-many years, I've been dipping in and out,. It has been nice to settle in and get to know the guys properly, and try to have an impact in the team and on the squad. Hopefully, I can stay fit and keep doing it for the rest of the year."

Anderson is third on the list of leading wicket-takers in international cricket. In 401 matches across the three formats of the game, he has claimed 991 wickets at an average of 27.28, with 34 five-fers. Only Muttiah Muralitharan (1,347) and Shane Warne (1,001) have claimed more wickets in international cricket.

---

James Anderson's impressive stats in Vitality Blast 2025

In four matches for Lancashire in the ongoing Vitality Blast 2025, Anderson has claimed 10 wickets at an average of 10.30 and an economy rate of 6.86. The right-arm seamer excelled with 3-17 in his first match of the season against Durham in Chester-le-Street. He also claimed 1-23 against Leicestershire in Manchester.

In his last two matches, Anderson has claimed three wickets each. He registered figures of 3-31 against Northamptonshire in Manchester and followed it up with 3-32 against Worcestershire in Worcester on Friday, June 13.