Buzz from 'proper graft' keeps James Anderson going

On Sunday, 5 January, he finished with 5/40 in South Africa's first innings at Newlands, giving England a useful lead of 46. It was his 28th five-wicket haul, taking him past Ian Botham and R Ashwin for most five-fors, with Glenn McGrath (29) next in his sights.

Playing only his second Test since early August, when a calf injury cut short his Ashes after just four overs, he was delighted to shake off the rust, basking in the satisfaction that comes from a good day's work. It was precisely that feeling that kept him going, he said.

"I sat down at the end of the day [on Saturday] feeling like that is what I have missed," Anderson said. "That proper hard day of Test cricket, proper graft. A real battle with [Dean] Elgar and [Rassie] van der Dussen when they put their partnership together. That's why I still want to play cricket. That's what I get a buzz out of, coming off the field after a day like that. A pretty hot day, you're sweaty and you know you've put a shift in.

"I love that challenge that Test cricket brings. Putting in the hard yards in the field, having to graft for your wickets, having to try different fields, different plans. That's what I love about the game and that's why I want to keep playing."

Over half of Anderson's 582 Test wickets so far have come in the 80 games he's played since turning 30. And he's keen to keep going and proving that he deserves to be in the England set-up.

"For me, age is irrelevant," he added to BBC Sport. "I feel good and work hard at my fitness.

"As the grey hairs and wrinkles creep in, people will wonder how long I can go on for. Hopefully, I keep putting in performances and if I keep doing that, who knows how long I can go for?"