Jimmy desperate for England to rule again
Chris Stocks speaks to James Anderson about England’s rise to be the best side in the world
Whether or not England regain the No.1 Test ranking by the end of the summer, James Anderson believes the lack of a leading frontrunner in world cricket right now has infused the sport with a competitiveness not seen for years.
Anderson, who regained his position as the top-ranked Test bowler this week, was part of the last England team to reach the summit in 2011. This current group of players can emulate that feat if they beat Pakistan at The Oval to round off a 3-1 series victory. India, though, can deny them if they win their final two Tests in the Caribbean, while Pakistan know they themselves can get to the top spot if they prevail in South West London this week and other results go their way.
Australia, currently leading the way in the rankings, have lost their series in Sri Lanka following heavy defeats in the opening two Tests. It means whatever the results over the coming weeks, there will be at least four teams fighting it out over the next year to be regarded as the best in the world.
That’s unlike previous years, when South Africa, Australia and West Indies have at various points dominated Test cricket. And Anderson believes the current lack of a leading side makes for an exciting period in the sport.
“A lot of teams are in a developmental stage,” he said.“Teams have lost key players. It is just who comes on quicker, which teams gel and which players settle at Test level quicker will get to the top. It is an exciting time for us.With everyone beating each other it is a great opportunity for us to cement that spot.”
England’s next assignment in Test cricket following this summer will be a two-match series in Bangladesh, followed by five more Tests in India.
Australia’s current struggles in Sri Lanka have illustrated how tough that sub-continental double-header will be for England, whose last foray into Asia saw them lose 2-0 to Pakistan in the UAE last winter.
Anderson, though, is confident England can adapt and thrive, just as they did by winning their last Test series in India back in 2012.
“We have experience of those conditions,” he said.“I’m sure India will be even more in their favour than the UAE was for Pakistan. It is something we will have to focus on nearer the time. It is something that if we do it in the right way then it can be an exciting challenge for us.When we went about it in India last time the size of the achievement was the challenge that drove everyone to combat those conditions.”
England’s ability to extract reverse swing on the final day of their third Test victory against Pakistan at Edgbaston perhaps pointed to a way in which they can succeed this winter.
Asked if it was encouraging to see sub-continental batsmen struggling to cope with reverse swing, Anderson replied:“Yes, I think to be honest when the ball is moving laterally most batsmen will find it difficult to score, at least. So from our point of view as bowlers it’s our job to develop our skills so we can bowl at a level we did the other day where there are four bowlers who can bowl well with a reverse swinging ball.We will need that in Bangladesh and India.”
If England can have a successful winter, Anderson believes they could without doubt then be regarded as the best team in the world.
“We have got a huge test in the winter and if we come through that with two series wins then you would say we deserve to be number one,” he said.
As for his own position at the top of the rankings, Anderson conceded:“I think with a lot of cricket going on it might not last that long, so I’ll enjoy it while I can.
“I was delighted with my form in the last game. I bowled better than I did [in the second Test] at Old Trafford, my speeds were a little bit higher there as well and I felt much more back to match fitness, and I was happy to contribute.”
The leader of England’s attack did get into trouble for what he termed “petulant” behaviour towards the umpires when he was warned, and later pulled out of the attack, for running onto the pitch. Now 34, Anderson refuses to apologise for the competitive streak that sometimes sees him cross the line. He is also reassured that it is still there in his 13th year as an international cricketer.
“I definitely need that edge,” he says. “I think it’s made me the bowler I am, but I want to stay the right side of the line.”
As for this current group of England pace bowlers, with the quartet playing in this final Test joined by Ben Stokes, Mark Wood and Jake Ball on the sidelines, Anderson believes the current crop are the best England have ever had.
“Yes I think strength in depth is really exciting,” he said.“Ben will come back, Mark Wood, who had a fantastic start to his career, is getting back to fitness.We are going to have good options going to Bangladesh and India.”
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“A lot of teams are in a development stage. Teams have lost players and it’s all about who comes on quicker JamesAnderson ”