By Malcolm Conn and Daniel Brettig
Manchester: England have taken the sentimental route by recalling Jimmy Anderson for what may be his last Test at his home ground, Old Trafford, while confirming that Moeen Ali will bat at three to help shield Harry Brook from the new ball.
The record-breaking Anderson, who turns 41 this month, replaces Ollie Robinson in the only change from the team that won the third Test at Headingley. Australia lead the five-match series 2-1.
Robinson walked off at Headingley with back spasms after 11.2 overs in the first innings and didn’t bowl again in the match but later declared himself fit.
Spinner and usual number eight batsman Moeen has been named at number three, where he batted in the fourth innings at Headingley, allowing Brook to return to number five, where he made a match-defining 75.
The promotion of Moeen enabled the inclusion of allrounder Chris Woakes as an extra bowler to cover captain Ben Stokes, who was unable to bowl because of a chronic knee injury. Recalled after more than a year, Woakes played a vital part in England’s third Test victory with ball and bat.
Anderson, who has claimed just three wickets in two Tests at an average of 75 this series, was dropped for Headingley for the return of express bowler Mark Wood, who put in a player-of-the-match performance, claiming 5-34 in the first innings.
There was an argument to suggest that the quicker Josh Tongue, 26, who made an impressive Ashes debut at Lord’s, should have been recalled on what is traditionally regarded as one of the better pitches for fast bowling in the country because it offers higher bounce and more carry.
However, Anderson is synonymous with Old Trafford to the point one end of the ground has been named after him. And there’s no doubt local fans want to see Jimmy Anderson running in from the Jimmy Anderson End at least one last time.
“He’s still the best bowler we have and we’ve had over the years,” Moeen Ali said of Anderson on Monday at Old Trafford.
“Him and Broady have been outstanding. Even in the first two games he played, I actually thought he bowled really well in both of them.
“When people say he doesn’t bowl well, he doesn’t go for many runs. I think he’s been a bit unfortunate with catches and other things probably not going his way. But there’s no doubt England are a better team with James Anderson in.”
Moeen, was frank about stating his move to three was devised to ensure Harry Brook could bat in his preferred position at five. Joe Root, the other candidate for three, is happier at four, the place occupied by Steve Smith for Australia.
“Brooky is a great player and will be a great player,” Moeen said. “I just personally feel five is great for him and the impact he can have at five is probably more than what he can do at three at the moment.
“I’m not saying he won’t be a good number three – but I just feel right now for the team it’s probably best I go three. If I can come off once in four knocks if I do play the next one as well, and then chip in the other ones, I feel like that’s a decent job done.”
Moeen Ali was promoted to number three in England’s batting order for the fourth innings at Headingley, but his stay at the crease was short-lived.Credit: Getty Images
Anderson’s career has been remarkable for a fast bowler who carries such heavy workloads in Test matches. He made his Test debut 20 years ago and has claimed 688 wickets at 26 in 181 matches.
He is the most successful fast bowler of all time and sits behind only spinners Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Shane Warne (708) on the list of Test cricket’s leading wicket-takers.
Despite Anderson’s struggles this series, Australia’s veteran opener Usman Khawaja is full of admiration for the Lancashire bowler.
“I’ve got a lot of time for Jimmy, he’s been an outstanding cricketer for such a long time,” Khawaja said at training this week. “He’s got his own end named after him, so he must be doing something right. I think there’s always room for Jimmy Anderson.”
Khawaja first got to know Anderson playing county cricket for Lancashire in 2014.
“He was a very, quiet reserved guy, and I wasn’t quite sure how to take him,“” Khawaja recalled. “Somehow I was addicted to Call of Duty on Playstation and so was he and that’s how we broke the ice. He came into my room and started playing Call of Duty. He was crap at it, but it broke the ice and I started getting along with him pretty well after that.”
England team: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Moeen Ali, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonathan Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.
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