AUS vs ENG: James Anderson Would Still Make England’s Best XI - Nasser Hussain Defends Pacer

Former England National Cricket Team captain Nasser Hussain has backed the veteran quick James Anderson amid criticism, saying that the 40-year-old would still make it to the best-playing XI of the team for the ongoing Ashes 2023.

Anderson has been facing heavy criticism for his poor performance in the ongoing five-match Test series against Australia. The veteran pacer has not looked at his best in the series and has failed to make an impact in the three matches he has been part of.

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At Lord’s, he registered figures of 1/53 & 1/64 and at Edgbaston, he had the figures of 1/53 & 0/56. He was left out of the side for the Headingley Test, before returning for Manchester Test where he finished with figures of 1/51 and 30/0.

In his column for The Daily Mail, Nasser Hussain defended Anderson, stating that he was at the top spot in the ICC Test Rankings a few months ago and backed him to be part of the side for the Ashes finale. He stated:

“…If I was picking England’s best XI to face Australia, he would still be in it. Yes, Anderson’s wickets cost 32 runs apiece there, considerably more expensive than his career mark of 26 – but four months ago he was the No 1-ranked bowler in the world and although it might be the oldest cliché, class is permanent.”

Speaking about the retirement of Anderson, Hussain said that the pacer’s body language is still fine and it’s not of someone who is finished.

“Only the individual knows when the time is right to retire, whether they are physically and mentally done. There are only so many times you can go to the well, only so many times you get out of bed, strap those bowling boots on and go again. That point will come for Anderson, but I don’t see in his body language that he’s running on empty.”

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He’s just performing a bit below par – Nasser Hussain on James Anderson

Hussain admitted that Anderson’s performance has been underwhelming, but urged England to back him considering his contributions over the years.

“He’s just performing a bit below par. When a great is a bit below par, it would be very unfair – wrong, in fact – to leave him out. Great cricketers just deserve that little bit more, in keeping with their mighty efforts,” he stated.

The Ashes 2023 series currently stands at 2-1 in favor of Australia and they have also retained the urn following the washout in the Manchester Test. The Ashes finale will be held at The Kennington Oval in London from July 27 to 31.

Meanwhile, Nasser Hussain said that England should pick their best XI for the final Test. He elaborated:

“I don’t see a massive drop-off in his pace, he just hasn’t done as much with the ball this year as in previous years and I cannot put my finger on why. Maybe it’s not a summer of swing. My gut feeling looking at him is that he is not a cricketer who is done, but the England selectors should pick what they believe is their best team and avoid any thoughts of heading down the romantic route.”

“England deserve to get this series back to 2-2 if they play good cricket at the Oval because that would be a fair reflection of proceedings… They must pick their best side, in the knowledge that for the last 15 years Anderson has always been in it.”

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