London: England’s captain Ben Stokes dubbed James Anderson “the greatest fast bowler to play the game” by way of explaining why he had retained his place in an unchanged team for the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Oval.
Anderson has four wickets at 76.75 for the series, though only Stuart Broad has bowled more overs for England. His retention ahead of Josh Tongue, who hurried the Australians up in his only match at Lord’s, is also intriguing for the fact that the Oval is Anderson’s least effective English venue.
James Anderson celebrates a rare wicket in this Ashes series.Credit: Reuters
Perhaps this was why Stokes went all out in his praise of Anderson, who is due to turn 41 on day four of the game, as a member of a pace attack that will also feature Broad for the fifth and final match in the series, plus Mark Wood and Chris Woakes.
“James Anderson is the greatest fast bowler to play the game,” Stokes declared. “And he’s still looking as good as he was two years ago, although he hasn’t had the impact he would have liked in this series.”
Queried about some other fast bowling greats, such as Glenn McGrath, Curtly Ambrose, Dale Steyn and Wasim Akram, Stokes spoke in terms of recency.
“I only faced Steyn,” he said. “I didn’t face McGrath, I didn’t face the other guys. I’ve faced a lot of them, been on the field a lot with them and nearly 700 Test wickets, I think is phenomenal to do it and all around the world as well.
“Everyone’s got an opinion on those kinds of things and in my opinion James Anderson is the greatest bowler to play the game.“
Stokes said that the circumstances of the series, including the fact that the Old Trafford Test was washed out, meant that Broad had enough fuel left in the tank to get through all five games.
“It was always going to be hard for one bowler to play every game this series, but he’s been incredible for us,” Stokes said.
“He’s put in some incredible performances throughout Test matches, but he’s also been very good at coming on with the ball and changing the game numerous times, which is something he’s done his whole career.
“Being the leading wicket taker, it’s very hard to look past someone like that. At 37 years old it’s a testament to how much work he puts in off the field to keep playing for England.”
As for Wood, who interrupted Stokes’ press conference by loudly playing Barbie Girl by Aqua, then the Imperial March from Star Wars in the gym above the indoor nets where he spoke, England are comfortable he can go again at speed.
“He just brings amazing energy to the group, he’s a very, very funny man, he’s always bouncing around and he’s someone who will just keep going and going and going, even if he’s sore, tired, whatever he is, he’ll throw everything at the opposition,” Stokes said.
“He’s great to have around the team and he is playing now but even when he’s not playing, he offers so much to the group, he’s just a really, really good team man. His skill set with the ball is something that every team wants.”
Ben Stokes dubbed James Anderson “the greatest fast bowler to play the game”.Credit: Reuters
As for some of the heat being directed at his opposite number Pat Cummins, Stokes was incredulous to hear suggestions that anyone thought the leader of the team that won the World Test Championship and retained the Ashes on the same tour should quit.
“I’m not sure why someone would say he should give it up,” Stokes said.
“I think he’s done a great job for Australia, I don’t know who’s made those comments about Pat, but I think he’s done a great for Australian cricket and taken it at the time when he did.
“It’s probably a little bit unwarranted – and that’s coming from an Englishman to an Australian.”
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