England’s ace bowler James Anderson, who is hailed as one of the most talented bowlers to have played for the England cricket team, has been left out for the ongoing first Ashes Test, however, the England side insisted that his exclusion from the side is not injury-related. In fact, Anderson is part of the management plan to have him in the playing XI for the day-night Test in Adelaide next week.
It has come out as a big blow for the side, considering their dismal record in Australia. England has lost nine of their last 10 Tests and the task was made even tougher for the Joe Root-led side as the most prolific bowler, James Anderson was not included in the playing XI of the squad.
If reports are to be believed then Anderson was not risked because of a minor calf problem but England didn’t give any reason for his omission. England is keen to manage the workload of the 39-year-old cricketer, and he is expected to play only 3 off the 5 match Test series. Pink-ball or the day-night match is expected to be more helpful for the prolific bowler and he is expected to make his return in the second Test match, next week.
England is already without the services of sensational Jofra Archer, who is recovering from an elbow injury, and also Olly Stone who has undergone back surgery.
Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler told the BBC: “Jimmy’s not going to play but he is fit. It’s just precautionary.”
While Anderson isn’t playing in the first Test, Australia’s new skipper Pat Cummins has warned his side boasting some of ‘the all-time greats’ would be difficult to beat.
“He’s obviously a great player and it’s a shame that he won’t be out there tomorrow, but it doesn’t change what we are going to do,” said new Australian captain Cummins of Anderson.
Pat Cummins, who recently took over the captaincy position, replacing Tim Paine, nominated Joe Root as the world’s number one Test batsman and also the key wicket for his side. He said:
He’s going to be right up there as the biggest wicket, he’s had a really good last 12 months or so, but I wouldn’t necessarily say he’s going to make it or break it for them,”
Although Australia hasn’t played a Test since January due to Covid but he feels that the England side might struggle against an Australian side that boasts some of ‘the all-time greats’ including the likes of Steve Smith, David Warner, among others.
“I look around our team and we’ve got a pretty special side,” he said,
“We’ve got some of the greats of all time of Australian cricket in our changing room and when you get most of them clicking we’re going to be a pretty tough team to beat.
“We get along really well and have a lot of fun, so hopefully a tight-knit group. We are enjoying our cricket and we’re relentless when we have our chance to play,” he added.
Australia’s Playing XI: Marcus Harris, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
England’s Playing XI: Joe Root (capt), Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Haseeb Hameed, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
