James Anderson selection for the fourth Test was also questioned by former England captain Michael Vaughan, who claimed the experienced pacer’s involvement in the starting XI might have cost the home team the match.
James Anderson, the most seasoned pacer on the England team, was chosen for the fourth game of the Ashes 2023, but the Ben Stokes-led team failed to put on a strong display, and Australia eventually won the series after the Manchester Test ended in a draw.
For the third Test, which England’s team won, the 41-year-old pacer was rested, but he returned for the fourth Test. Josh Tongue was the player the English team should have looked to for the Old Trafford match, according to Vaughan. The pace attack of Mark Wood, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, and Anderson was ultimately chosen by the Three Lions for the game.
In the BBC’s Ashes Daily podcast, Vaughan said, “We all agreed that James Anderson deserved to have that sentimental pick because he’s a legend of the game, but it may have cost England. Josh Tongue is a young quick who has made an impact in that one game that he has played, and I know the Australians don’t like facing him.
Jimmy has made absolutely no influence in any of the three Test matches he has played in this series. That’s quite unlike Jimmy Anderson, and I don’t recall him ever taking a crucial wicket,” he continued.
Michael Vaughan: James Anderson might not be in the best XI for England.
The former England batter said, “We pick on Jonny [Bairstow] because he’s missed a few opportunities, but we’ve got to be honest: Jimmy Anderson has played three games and has had no influence at all in this series, so it’s possible that he won’t be in England’s best XI for The Oval.
Regarding Anderson’s series performance, he only had one wicket in the Manchester Test, which was Pat Cummins during his 20-over stint. The right-arm bowler only got three wickets in the first two games of the series while allowing 226 runs to be scored.
Surely, at his advanced age, Anderson’s selection will be questioned if he doesn’t perform, but will the seasoned pacer be dropped or will he decide to retire? Anderson may certainly make a comeback, but as young pacers like Tongue make their presence known, pressure will increase on the seasoned pacer to keep his spot in the team.
In regards to the Ashes 2023, the Pat Cummins-led team has preserved the urn by avoiding defeat in the fourth Test, which concluded in a draw after Day 5 was ruined by rain. The five-test series is currently 2-1 in favor of the visitors. Starting on July 27, the Oval will host the series’ final and fifth Test.
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