JIMMY ANDERSON’S PLAYER-BY-PLAYER GUIDE TO OUR ASHES STARS

ALASTAIR COOK (Played 147, Role: Opening batsman)

It was nice to see him back in the ranks and be a normal person again. He struggled at first with not being captain, but he soon got over it with a big score and I’m hopeful that we see the same batsman as we saw in 2010/11.

MARK STONEMAN (Played 3, Role: Opening batsman)

I think he could be a really important player for us and maybe even our David Warner. He’s an aggressive player who takes on fast bowling really well and could be well-suited to the pitches out here, as we’ve seen so far.

JAMES VINCE (Played 7, Role: Batsman)

A hugely-talented player, who has had a taste of Test cricket before and, like everyone who has been dropped, when you get back in, you want to grab that second chance with both hands. I’m sure he’ll do that.

JOE ROOT (Played 60, Role: Captain and batsman)

Our best player. He seems to just churn out runs whenever he goes to the middle and, hopefully, he can just keep doing that for us. He is a really important player and, from a bowler’s point of view, I think he has taken to captaincy brilliantly and has largely stayed the same. The lads love him and have huge respect for him.

DAWID MALAN (Played 5,

Role: Batsman)

An aggressive white-ball player who has managed to adapt his game nicely for Test cricket. iktWt Watching him dig us out of trouble in the summer allowed me to see a different side to him, and showed that he has the right temperament for Test cricket, which you need in Australia.

MOEEN ALI (Played 44, Role: All-rounder)

To have a man of his ability coming in at six is a great boost for us and can be quite deflating for the opposition. He is a real thinking cricketer, who works hard at his game, especially his bowling, and if he bowls well, he could have a huge influence. His football is average, though.

JONNY BAIRSTOW (Played 45, Role: WicketkeeperBatsman)

His game has gone from strength to strength and he is a fine Test match batsman in his own right. His keeping has come on in leaps and bounds in the last two years and he is now in a different league, which gives you huge confidence as a bowler. He could go on to be one of the greats and to have him at seven is a positive thing for us.

CHRIS WOAKES (Played 18, Role: All-rounder)

Over the last three years, he has really improved. His bowling is quick and skilful, with the ability to move the ball both ways, and his batting is really valuable. He is a proper batsman and a solid bloke.

STUART BROAD (Played 109, Role: Fast bowler)

Broady is clinging on and finding it hard to keep up with me! Seriously, everyone knows how good he is and what he can do. He is such a destructive bowler, who can absolutely rip through sides. I’m very grateful to have bowled as much as I have with him.

JAMES ANDERSON (Played 129, Role: Fast bowler)

I feel as good as I ever have about my bowling and I can’t wait to play my part in helping the team win an Ashes series Down Under again. My partnership with Stuart will be hugely important and, if we’re winning, I won’t be grumpy (too much).

JAKE BALL (Played 3, Role:

Fast bowler)

He is the sort of guy who, you’d think, will do well in Australia. With his height and with ith a strong t wrist behind the ball, he will get good pace and bounce out of these pitches. He is keen to learn and picks up things quickly.