Jimmy Anderson believes Australia are unsure of how to deal with ‘Bazball’ when the Ashes begin next summer, after a record-breaking few months for England’s Test team.
Ben Stokes’ side go into this morning’s third and final game against Pakistan in Karachi having won eight Tests out of nine – and three series out of three – since Joe Root stepped down as captain.
And Anderson, who rested from this match to keep him fresh for the challenges ahead – starting with the two Tests in New Zealand in February – said he expected England to improve even more by the time the Ashes start in Edgbaston on June 16.
Jimmy Anderson expects England to improve further ahead of next year’s Ashes
‘The message is the same every week,’ he said. ‘Can we go to another level? Can we keep breaking records? Can we play more entertaining cricket?
‘With the talent we have, we have to keep getting better, so by the time the Ashes come around, we’ll be in a good place. I texted Tim Southee the other day to congratulate him on the New Zealand captaincy, and he was like: “I’m not sure I can keep up with you.”
‘Perhaps the Aussies can be more rude than him, but there might be something deep down where they’re not sure how they’re going to do it against us.’
The messages coming out of the Australian camp are mixed. In July, Steve Smith asked if Bazball was ‘sustainable’.
Ben Stokes’ side have won eight Tests out of nine – and three series out of three
More recently, David Warner said he didn’t ‘pay attention to it’, before saying ‘we’re going to play Ronball’ – a reference to Australian coach Andrew McDonald’s nickname.
Meanwhile, former Test batsman Mark Waugh described England’s approach as ‘good for the game’. He added: ‘I think other captains and countries should look at how they play the game.’
However, Anderson had a stab at predicting Australia’s response.
‘Having played against them a lot, I’m sure they will try to come back as much as they can,’ he said.
The veteran bowler is England’s leading wicket-taker under Brendon McCullum and Stokes
On Thursday, he celebrated the 20th anniversary of his international debut. But even now, at 40, he is learning new tricks – to the point where he is England’s leading wicket-taker under Brendon McCullum and Stokes, with 35 at 17.
‘I love to think about the game and about the plans, and Ben is that kind of captain,’ he said. ‘All he thinks about is getting wickets. He is not worried about trying to dry up the run-rate or control the game. You see that in the fields he sets.
‘That then rubs off on you as a bowler. I can’t remember how many times I’ve bowled over the years with a leg slip, but I’ve had one all summer and this series.’
With eight wickets in the 18 he took in Rawalpindi and Multan – taking his Test total to 675 – he was favorite to dismiss Mohammad Rizwan in the second Test, when a ball was shaping up to hit the top of the off. stump
‘Funny, I had a leg slip in, and Rooty think maybe that position made him stay slightly leg side of the ball,’ said Anderson. ‘Those little things can make a big difference.’
Australian batsman David Warner recently said he didn’t ‘pay attention’ to ‘Bazball’
Anderson admitted the delivery had been a crack, as did Ollie Robinson soon after bowling Babar Azam. But that did not diminish his pleasure.
‘It looks good on television,’ he said. ‘For me, that’s up there with one of the best balls I’ve ever bowled.’
Despite being encouraged to attack with the ball, Anderson has been harder to hit, taking just 2.20 an over in this series – worse than any other bowler.
‘I feel proud of the work Ive put in over here,’ he said. ‘Forty overs in the first Test, and 22 on the last day’s play – that’s as good as I’ve bowled, and as important a role as I’ve played in any team, especially in these conditions.
That’s how we all feel as bowlers. The seamers put in a lot of work to try and get something out of the wickets. We found some reverse swing, which helps. It was brilliant from start to finish.’
