So with the Ashes set to commence in less than five months time, the mighty Aussies are following their age old theory of going against the opposition’s verbally even before the actual contest has started.
English quick James Anderson, who is England’s leading wicket-taker in Tests has been already warned that he will be targeted by the Aussie batsmen once the shine vanishes from the Kookaburra ball.
If he does manage to find a place in the XI, it will be Anderson’s 7th Ashes and along with former captain Alastair Cook, he is the only other member who was a part of the Ashes whitewash way back in 2006-07. In his illustrious 123-match career, Anderson has scalped 470 Test wickets but he doesn’t have too many fond memories playing in Australia.
Former Aussie pacer Peter Siddle conceded that it was a common tactic used by the Australians to go after Anderson especially when the shines wears off.
“It’s always been the case with Anderson … we’ve known in Australia, and it’s always been a plan, that if it does stop swinging you can really get on top of him,” Siddle was quoted as saying by Unplayable Podcast.
“He does get frustrated when the batsmen get on top of him. It’s been our plan that when he’s in a good spell, be defensive play it straight, bide your time. Because once that swing has died off you can have a good crack at him and make the most of it,” Siddle further added.
Anderson’s most productive Ashes series came in the 2010/11 season where the seamer bagged 24 wickets in the five-match series at an impressive average of 26. In the following series which England yet again lost by a 0-5 margin, Anderson’s performance was pretty lacklustre, as he finished with 14 wickets at a below par average of 43.
Anderson, who will turn 35 on July 30th, doesn’t feel he is too old and wants to give his best in the upcoming series against South Africa and West Indies.
“The ambition to play one more Ashes in England is still strong,” Anderson was quoted as saying by The Telegraph UK. “It is two years away and I know a lot can happen in that time. “A player can get a career-ending injury at any moment or a lack of form can cost them their place so I know I have to take it step by step, summer by summer. I want to go to Australia this (English) winter,” he added. “It is an amazing tour.
“There is nothing quite like an Ashes trip Down Under. I have experienced both winning and losing in Australia and I feel like I have unfinished business,” Anderson further added.
The pacer has never lost an Ashes in England but is hopeful of winning down under which remains a pretty difficult prospect indeed as mentioned by Siddle.
“It has been shown with his record in Australia that he’s a player you can get on top of, but he has had his moments where he’s been all over us,” Siddle said.
“You just don’t know what type of Jimmy Anderson you’re going to get. Sometimes it can be dependent on mother nature and what’s overhead. Hopefully, it’s a sunny summer and not much swing which means Jimmy Anderson will be not quite as effective,” the former Aussie pacer concluded.