World Cup win is hard act to follow
JAMES Anderson believes England and Australia have a tough act to follow when the Ashes series gets under way next month.
The first Test starts at Edgbaston on August 1 with English cricket still in a state of euphoria after the thrilling World Cup final win against New Zealand.
England’s record wicket-taker Anderson said: “I just hope that it’s an entertaining series first and foremost for people watching.
“We’ve got a lot to live up to after that World Cup.
“If we can make it entertaining cricket, that’s what both sides want to do, play entertaining, positive cricket.
“I just hope it’s a good series for people.”
Anderson watched in awe as Eoin Morgan’s one-day side held their nerve to win the World Cup for the first time, but believes an Ashes series is the ultimate challenge in Test cricket.
“For both teams, if you asked both sets of players, they will say the Ashes is the pinnacle for them in Test cricket,” he said.
“There’s always some added spice around it, some extra bit of niggle and stuff like that on the field, which is really exciting and makes for good viewing.”
Anderson, who will be 37 two days before the first Ashes Test, will embark on his ninth series against Australia.
His 575 Test wickets are the more than any other pace bowler and place him fourth on the all-time list.
England’s World Cup star Jofra Archer is hoping to makes his Ashes bow at Edgbaston - he was rested against Ireland due to a side strain - and Anderson
● James Anderson, left, takes part in a fitness run with Phil Scott during England nets this week will relish the chance to help nurture his talent.
“As a senior player in the team you see that as your job anyway,” Anderson added.
“That’s something that’s happened for years.
“If a young guy comes into the team you try and help them settle and allow them to be comfortable and play in the way they want to play.
“He hasn’t played much international cricket, but he’s played quite a lot of franchise cricket around the world, which has given him good experience and exposure to the best players in the world in highpressure situations.
“But still, to come into a World Cup final and deliver under that sort of pressure was amazing to see, especially for such a young guy.
“That for me just shows he’s got a great future ahead of him.”
Anderson was ruled out of England’s four-day Test against Ireland at Lord’s this week due to a calf injury.
Anderson has failed to recover from the injury sustained to his right leg when playing for his county Lancashire against Durham on July 2.
“Jimmy will continue to be assessed ahead of the first Specsavers Ashes Test at Edgbaston on August 1,” an ECB statement read.
Anderson’s unavailability for Ireland’s maiden Test on these shores was not unexpected and the target now facing the 36-year-old is to be fit in time to face Australia.
Chief selector Ed Smith stated when naming the squad last week that England’s record wicket-taker would not be risked ahead of the Ashes series if there was any lingering doubt over his injury.
Bowling resources have already been stretched by the side strains suffered by Mark Wood and Jofra Archer in the recent World Cup victory over New Zealand.
Wood is likely to be missing until the decisive phase of the summer after being ruled out for four to six weeks.
The prognosis over Archer is more vague and the 24-year-old is currently on holiday in Barbados.