Veteran England pacer James Anderson has been under fire for his bowling performance in Ashes 2023. Anderson has so far picked up four wickets in four Test matches that he has played in the series against Australia. Former English skipper Nasser Hussain expressed concern over Anderson’s performance as he went wicketless on Day one of play.
The 41-year-old was rested for the third Test of the series, and in his place, Mark Wood came into the playing XI. Wood performed exceptionally well in the third game, as he took seven wickets and scored 40 runs helping the home side win that game by three wickets after being 0-2 in the series. Whereas, Anderson is third on the all-time wicket-taker list in the longest format of the game as he came back into the squad for the fourth game, replacing Ollie Robinson.
Four wickets in over 120 overs in the series is not the James Anderson: Nasser Hussain
“He is having no impact at the moment in this series. For England to win here, Jimmy Anderson has to find his rhythm. He has to get wickets. He is bowling ok without the wickets but not looking like getting wickets. Four wickets in over 120 overs in the series is not the Anderson that we know,” said Vaughan while speaking to Cricbuzz.
“And with Moeen (Ali) off the field, though Joe Root can bowl a bit of spin, the seamers will have to bowl more and more. So it’s important Anderson has that impact on the game,” he further added.
The spin-bowling all-rounder Moeen Ali’s injury will be a concern for the England side, as it is reported that he suffered a groin injury. Moeen Ali was dismissed by Todd Murphy after his injury didn’t let him run into the wicket, so he switched to aggressive shots. He didn’t come to the field when the Aussies’ innings started.
At the start of play on Day 1, the Pat Cummins-led side won the toss and opted to bowl first. Ben Stokes-led side were bowled out for 283 runs, as Mitchell Starc picked 4/82. At Lunch on Day 2, Australia were 115/2. In the series, the home side is currently trailing 1-2 in five Test match Ashes series.