Sir James Anderson feels England remain in good position to claim Ashes revenge

Sir James Anderson believes England remain well-placed to claim Ashes revenge despite a dismal display Down Under.

The veteran bowler followed from home as Ben Stokes’ men slumped to a 4-1 defeat amid a fallout over selection, preparations and behaviour.

“Obviously, I think Ashes series are huge and everyone gets judged,” said Anderson, England’s record wicket-taker.

“We’ve seen the backlash of losing in Australia quite heavily. I thought they had a great chance of causing an upset or winning, certainly, out in Australia. I still feel like they’ve got a great chance of winning in England, as well, in a couple of years’ time.”

The England and Wales Cricket Board decided not to swing the axe, sticking with Stokes as captain, Brendon McCullum as head coach and managing director Rob Key.

Anderson was reluctant to offer an opinion on whether he sees that as the right call, saying: “They’ve decided that that’s the right way to go. We’ve seen it in the past where people have lost their jobs after Ashes series and maybe knee-jerk reactions to what that is.”

On England’s current seam attack, Anderson sees reason for optimism, particularly regarding Josh Tongue, although he sounded a note of caution on Jofra Archer.

“I love Josh Tongue,” said the 43-year-old. “I think he’s a serious bowler. And I’m sure he’ll play many, many more Tests. Jofra, I’m not sure, with his injuries and T20 commitments, with his Test career, what the future looks like for that.

“I thought Brydon Carse did a good job in Australia. Gus Atkinson I thought bowled well without much reward. There’s bowlers there that definitely can do a job and also I think there’s plenty around the circuit, as well, in the county game that should be knocking on the door and pushing.

“Same as the batters. I think there’s plenty of opportunity now for batters to put their hand up at the start of the season for a place in that first squad.”

Anderson’s focus is now squarely on the county game as he prepares for his first full season as red ball captain of Lancashire.

Having taken over the role with some success during the second half of last season, he is determined to lead the Red Rose back to Division One of the Rothesay County Championship.

Anderson will turn 44 in July but the carrot of a potential title tilt next year is already on his mind.

“There were times throughout the winter where I maybe thought about, ‘What if we get promoted and we’ve got a chance to push for the championship next year, would I want to be involved in that?’. And of course I would,” he said.

“And then there are other times when I wake up and I struggle to walk to the toilet in the morning and think maybe I can’t get another year out of my body. So it’s just a day-by-day thing, see how the season goes.”

Anderson is planning to play in the Vitality Blast but will skip The Hundred having “hated every minute of it” last year.

He admits there are physical challenges but is hoping to play in as many four-day games as possible.

“I know now what hurts in a season,” he said. “It’s about protecting those areas.

“So I’ve focused a lot on the strength side of it, bowling as much as I think I need to without overdoing it. And the running side of it, maybe not trying to sprint, keep up with the 17-year-old lads, and just do what I need to do to be fit for a game.”

Anderson is two years older than his good friend Steven Croft, who was appointed as permanent coach in October.

“I feel lucky to have him as a captain, and I think that the players feel incredibly lucky and privileged to have him around,” said Croft.

“He’s still one of the best bowlers around. His leadership, obviously he was new to it a little bit last year, but some of the team talks – probably not the chattiest guy in the world but, when he does speak, everyone listens and tunes in, even the coaching unit. They’re brilliant chats to be part of.”

Anderson hopes one of the benefits of his experience can be sharing an appreciation for the moment.

“It was five minutes since I was signing for Lancashire at 18,” he said. “Obviously, that’s how it feels. We absolutely love doing what we do and are very fortunate to get the chance to do it.”