Ace Jimmy goes into reverse to find form

® from RODNEY WHITE in Perth little compared to the livelier Dukes used in England.

But Anderson does have one winning experience to fall back on, the 2010-11 tour when he took 24 wickets to help England win their first away Ashes series in 24 years.

And he said: “I didn’t have much rhythm first up. It didn’t feel great, and there wasn’t much swing either with the new ball.

“But then I thought I got better as the day went on.

“Hopefully I can pick up from where I left off in the summer.”

Anderson apart, England’s bowling did not have much of an edge with Stuart Broad, his new-ball partner and No.2 on England’s list of leading wicket-takers, taking 1-64 in 13 overs. Jake Ball gave himself a shout of a first Test place with 1-31 from 12 overs but Craig Overton conceded 70 for his two wickets and Chris Woakes struggled with the Kookaburra ball. England could not take Cricket Australia XI’s last three wickets in order to win their three-day Women’s Ashes warm-up at Blacktown, Sydney.

Sarah Taylor starred with 85 as England narrowly failed to pull off a morale boosting win against a Cricket Australia XI ahead of their Ashes Test, starting in Sydney on Thursday.

England set their opponents 265 to win in 42 overs but the hosts held out for a draw at 182-7 despite England skipper Heather Knight taking 3-12.