James Anderson Returns To His Home Ground with a Point To Prove

Getting close to 700 wickets without a few bad days in the office is something unachievable. James Anderson though will be running in from the James Anderson end with a lot to prove. His affect was almost negligible in the first two Tests with Anderson struggling to make the ball talk on what was a couple of lifeless tracks.

With England down 2-1 and with their backs to the wall Anderson doing well becomes all the more important. While his form is a concern, its only a side quest with England looking to equal the series and keep the urn alive for the Oval.

With a lot on the line, James Anderson returns for what could be his Final Test at Old Trafford. With three wickets at 75 in the first two Tests, Anderson looked done when he was dropped for the third Test. Getting close to 41, his performances gave the impression that Anderson, all of a sudden looked out of it. A Ten-day gap, and the dropping of Ollie Robinson though let Anderson get back in with a chance to prove his point.

Anderson’s bad run though has allowed England to try some of their other bowlers with Mark Wood and Josh Tongue impressing in their opportunities, while Chris Woakes too made a strong comeback. Anderson though, 12 wickets away from 700 will be looking to remind England of his worth, which is something that has not been questioned over the past decade.

To his defence though, Anderson has had catches dropped off his bowling in this series and he was very economical in the first two Tests. Had the chances been taken, Anderson could well be in a different discussion altogether. Anderson though chases his first Ashes win since Edgbaston 2015, and will be crucial as he targets his first five-for at Old Trafford.

Coming into the Ashes, James Anderson was seen as the threat, but funnily enough, Stuart Broad, who was about to lose the new-ball is now leading the wickets chart in the current Ashes series while James Anderson did not get the new-ball in the Edgbaston Test. He will mostly get the new ball back on a surface favoring him and England will be desperately hoping he returns to his best as they look to keep the Ashes alive.