Post by : Maya Rahman

The legendary fast bowler of England, James Anderson, has indicated that Australia will be the slight favorites heading into next week's Ashes series. Recently retired, Anderson shared candid insights on the forthcoming series. While he acknowledges Australia's edge, he concurs with Stuart Broad’s sentiment that this is the least formidable Australian team England has faced since their remarkable 2010-11 victory in Australia.

During that Ashes series, Anderson played a pivotal role, taking 24 wickets, enabling England to secure a victory in Australia for the first time in numerous years. However, his subsequent experiences have been quite different. Anderson participated in three Ashes tours post-2010-11, during which England has not secured a single win, recording 13 losses and two draws. As a result, he emphasizes caution about expecting too rapid a turnaround, urging England to remain pragmatic about the challenges of winning in Australia.

In discussions with TNT Sports, where he will serve as a pundit, Anderson reflected on Australia’s strength over the past decade. Their squad selection has been stable, with key players consistently maintaining their performance levels. Nevertheless, he notes that the current scenario is different, suggesting that Australia may be fielding their weakest squad in the last 15 years. He feels England has a promising chance due to Australia's diminished stability and confidence, but still regards the Aussies as slightly ahead due to their home ground advantage.

Anderson elaborated on the factors contributing to Australia’s apparent vulnerability this time. A significant concern is their uncertain batting order. With doubts surrounding their top three batsmen, they might consider playing a debutant opener, Jake Weatherald, in the initial Test—a situation atypical for Australia, who usually solidify their lineup before major tournaments. Another critical blow comes from the absence of captain and leading fast bowler, Pat Cummins, who will miss at least the opening Test due to injury—a substantial setback, according to Anderson.

He believes that this uncertainty in Australia’s lineup provides an opening for England. He perceives “cracks” that England could exploit during the first match in Perth. However, he cautions that Australia retains formidable players capable of making quick turns in any game. Despite Cummins’ absence, top-tier cricketers like Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, and Travis Head—all experienced Ashes performers—remain a core strength for Australia. Anderson posits that while there are challenges, Australia still possesses a robust foundation.

Regarding Australia's bowling attack, Anderson stated that they remain a potent threat even without their captain. Bowlers such as Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon have extensive Ashes experience and understand the intricacies of bowling on home turf. Their expertise combined with favorable conditions further complicates the task for England. Therefore, despite a potential opportunity, England must deliver peak performances to achieve victory.

With both teams exhibiting strengths and vulnerabilities, Anderson anticipates a closely contested and thrilling series. England approaches with renewed confidence under new leadership, yet Australia’s home advantage and seasoned players pose substantial challenges. Anderson’s concluding assessment is clear: Australia are the favorites, albeit by a narrow margin, and England stands a genuine chance to compete.

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