Anderson: Windies win sets us up for Ashes shot
SEAM hero James Anderson insists England’s series demolition of the West Indies has given them a “massive boost” for the Ashes this summer.
Anderson delivered a match-winning bowling performance with 4-38 to add to his first innings five-for, and lead England to a comprehensive victory in the second Test at the Riverside.
Tim Bresnan also collected three wickets – his first in Tests– to help skittle out the Windies for 176 and force victory by an innings and 83 runs.
This was the last Test action before the Ashes gets underway in Cardiff on 8 July and although England have a lot of limited overs cricket to play in the meantime, Anderson insisted they will benefit from the experience. “We can take a massive boost from these two Tests,” he said. “We’ve played really well and when the Ashes come around we can remember these performances and use them to our advantage.”
Anderson has taken on the mantle as England’s senior bowler, but heaped praise on the seam attack as a whole for helping to wrap up a comfortable 2-0 series win. “I enjoy the extra responsibility,” he added. “We’ve got some great bowlers in the squad at the minute. Hopefully we can continue to gel and perform well.”
STRAUSS REMAINS CAUTIOUS: P23