5 Fit cricketers above 35 and still going strong in international cricket
For a professional sportsperson, fitness is of prime importance. A fit body combined with an unwavering will to give it everything on the field makes great athletes.
Over the years the gentleman's game has changed drastically. With the advent of the T20 format, fielding standards have gone up and the game has become much more intense and fast.
The international schedule combined with multiple T20 leagues across the globe makes it very hectic for the cricketers and takes a toll on their bodies.
The team management these days takes special measures to ensure that the players stay fit and less prone to injuries. The Yo-Yo fitness test has become a selection standard for almost all the international teams, failing which a player is not even considered for selection.
There are some modern-day players who have defied age and have maintained their fitness.
Let's have a look at these evergreen cricketers who still actively play international cricket.
#1 James Anderson
Age: 36 years 5 months
The #10-year-challenge has set social media on fire with some hilarious memes and interesting transformations.
If this challenge is a measure of how much a person's physical appearance has changed, a cricketer who would miserably fail this challenge is the English great - James Anderson.
With 570 Test wickets, Anderson is the fourth highest wicket-taker in the world and tops the fast bowler's list.
The 36-year old looks remarkably fit and can still bowl long enduring spells and make the red cherry talk.
His signature out swinging delivery starting from the middle and leg stump and knocking over the off stump, squaring up the batsman completely is a delight to watch.
Anderson made his debut in 2002 against the mighty Australians. For the next five years, he was in and out of the side as the coaches kept playing around with his bowling action and Anderson never looked comfortable.
As soon as he switched back to his original side on action, Anderson proved to be lethal and spearheaded the England bowling lineup.
There are multiple factors responsible for Anderson's successful career but the one primary factor is extreme prudence in matters of fitness by the team management and by Anderson himself.