James Anderson has said he has "no thoughts about retirement" after just collecting four wickets in three Ashes Tests this summer. He also has the support and trust of the team's head coach and captain.

Anderson will turn 41 in a few days. Many take retirement to cricket before reaching the age of 40. Some people play games because of their form. Like Sachin Tendulkar retired after turning 40.

Similarly, the future of England's 40-year-old pacer Anderson has been discussed before playing the last match of the Ashes at home. However, he wrote in his column in the English daily 'The Telegraph' that he is not thinking about retirement right now.

"I have certainly not had the returns I would have liked in this series. Everyone goes through a lean patch but you just don't want it to be in the most high-profile series we play. Ten or 15 years ago the debate would be about whether I should be dropped. Now it is about my future. I understand that. It is The Oval, the end of a series and a time for speculation,” he said.

He added, "I keep talking to the coach and captain. They want me around, so as long as I am still hungry, want to put in the work then I will keep trying to give my best for the team. That is exactly where I am at the minute."

He took only four wickets in three Tests. Even his long-time partner Stuart Broad feels bad seeing Anderson like this. But he also said Anderson did not bowl badly. Anderson himself seems to be the same. This experienced pacer said that he would have thought differently if he did not have the same speed in his hands as before.

"If I was bowling horrendously, with my pace down and hobbling around in the field I might be thinking differently. But the hunger is still there. I feel like I'm bowling well, that I can still offer something to the team. I felt like I bowled well at Old Trafford and if I get another chance this week, I will just keep trying the same stuff and hope my luck changes,” he further said.

"It is just one of those things. There are always one or two players who have a lean series. It can be a batter who gets good balls and then a bit of bad luck. It felt like that was my week in Manchester. I felt like I beat the bat plenty of times, but just didn't take the wickets that you want as a bowler to help the team win. There were a couple of times when I bowled a tight five-over spell then Woody (Mark Wood) came on and took a wicket straightaway. It feels like maybe I created the pressure, then Woody came on and let loose. It's teamwork."

The final match of the series will be played tomorrow at The Oval. Australia are currently leading the series by 2-1.