Anderson: England are now fearless

JAMES Anderson has seen almost everything over the course of two decades as an England player, but even he has been taken aback by the transformation that has gripped the Test team in recent weeks.

When it comes to assessing just how revolutionary England’s performances in their 3-0 whitewash over New Zealand were, nobody is in a better position to judge than their 39-year-old record cap-holder.

Anderson first played for his country in 2002 and has lived through more than his fair share of new eras, reboots and fresh starts. But the spirit of unbridled aggression and unchecked confidence that allowed England to chase down targets of 277, 299 and 296, and score their runs at a fierce rate of 4.54 over the course of the series, has left even him struggling for reference points.

“It does feel that way. I have never been in a dressing room before when we have chased almost 300 on a pitch that is turning and everyone being so calm, just believing we were going to chase them down,” he said. “That for me, after 20 years of playing international cricket, was something I had never seen before.

“You always get a few jittery people but from one to 11, and staff included, everyone was just calm and believed. As a bowler, I think it’s horrible! I don’t want to think of someone coming at me like that. But the confidence our batters have got at the moment... they’re just fearless.”

Anderson was speaking ahead of tomorrow’s rescheduled fifth Test against India, a throwback to the unfinished 2021 series between the teams. The game was postponed just a couple of hours before it was due to begin at Old Trafford last September, with the tourists withdrawing due to a Covid scare.

Anderson is eyeing a return to the team after missing out in Leeds due to a painful left ankle.

“I feel pretty good, fingers crossed I can get back in this week,” he said. “I hate missing games for England. The feeling around the group is so good.”