JIMMY BATTING FEARS
JIMMY ANDERSON admits England’s batting is a serious worry ahead of the Ashes.
The tourists collapsed alarmingly from 77-0 to 207 all out against an inexperienced Cricket Australia XI in their last but one warm-up match.
A devastating spell of 4-12 by Chris Woakes saw the Aussies struggle to 70-7 chasing an unlikely 268 to win.
But there’s no doubt England’s batsmen are struggling. Alastair Cook failed for the third successive tour innings and James Vince, Joe Root and Dawid Malan all went cheaply.
Only opener Mark Stoneman, who hit his third 50 on the bounce, and Jonny Bairstow (61no) offered any resistance.
Watching Australia coach Darren Lehmann must be itching to unleash his pace aces, led by the in-form Mitchell Starc, in the first Test in Brisbane on November 23.
Anderson, vice-captain in the absence of Ben Stokes, said: “It’s not ideal, is it?
Better
“Hopefully we’re getting it out of the way before the Test series starts but it’s something we’ve got to look at and discuss.
“We’ve got to look at why it has happened and stop it happening again. Yeah, it’s not ideal.”
But Anderson was impressed by Woakes, who will have a big role to play with England’s bowling resources looking stretched. “He’s got better and better every spell he’s bowled,” Anderson added.
“I thought he was brilliant. He deserved his four wickets and could have had more. He was back to his absolute best.” TEENAGE bowler Sophie Ecclestone struck twice on her Test debut as England women frustrated Australia in the day-night Test in Sydney.
The 18-year-old left-arm spinner took 2-51 as the home side reached 177-5 to trail by 103.