“Anderson Cost England The Ashes,” Bold Remarks By Michael Vaughan: The decision to choose James Anderson in the fourth Ashes Test at Emirates Old Trafford, according to former England captain Michael Vaughan, may have cost England the game and the series. He said that Anderson’s performance in the series has been lackluster and that his choice was solely sentimental.
Anderson returned to his home ground with high hopes after being rested in the previous game, which England won at Headingley, but he fell short of expectations. Using the fresh ball from the James Anderson End, he finished the game with 1 for 81 in 37 overs, conceding more runs than expected.
Jimmy has only managed to take four wickets at an average of 76.75 in the three games he has played in this series, which is significantly below his typical standards. Notably, the illustrious bowler hasn’t claimed an Ashes series victory since 2015, which raises questions about his present fitness.
Anderson’s 41-year-old age and physical condition have drawn criticism. There were concerns about his performance in the series due to being unable to produce much swing, reverse swing, seam movement, bounce, or pace. Even while everyone agreed that Anderson was a “sentimental pick” for the fourth Test, which was played on his home pitch, Anderson, 40, did not have the impact that England had thought their top all-time wicket-taker would have had.
“We all agreed that James Anderson deserved to have that sentimental pick because he’s a legend of the game, but it may have cost England,” Vaughan told the BBC’s Ashes Daily podcast.
Josh Tongue, a young and speedy player who has already had an effect in one game, was also mentioned by Vaughan as a potential option over Anderson. Anderson lacked the same “zip” he formerly had, says Vaughan, who also said that Chris Woakes got more movement than Anderson did.
“Jimmy, in the three Test matches that he’s played in this series, has just had no impact at all. I don’t remember him getting a key wicket at any stage and that’s very unlike Jimmy Anderson.”
“Robert Key [England’s managing director] will deal with that very professionally. I don’t think he’s the kind of guy who will go up to Jimmy and say, ‘Oh, by the way, you’re not going to get another contract.’ I think if Jimmy Anderson wants to carry on, England will work a way that [will allow him to] carry on,” Vaughan added.
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