Brisbane, Dec 6, : England pacer James Anderson stated Monday that the build up to the 2021/22 Ashes has been the quietest he’s ever witnessed in Australia.He added that the Australian people have been glad to see them come in the country for a tour, especially after emerging from a tough lockdown.
The upcoming Ashes is the fifth trip of Anderson, who was a member of the 2010/11 Ashes winning team.
” Normally, there is a lot of noise around Ashes and lots of verbal bashing.But this build-up feels like the quietest series I have ever seen.One man in a restaurant tried to taunt our group, but it was a bit too late when he told us to be ready for a green seamer at The Gabba.I looked at Stuart Broad and we said ‘great, can’t wait then’,” wrote Anderson in his column for The Telegraph.
“This is my fifth Ashes tour and it has a very different vibe to what I have experienced in the past.We have been out to dinner several times and the warm welcome from the Australian public, barring a few individuals, has shown that they are happy to see us again.They have recently emerged from tough, long lockdowns and are just glad the Ashes series is going ahead,” added Anderson, who has scalped 60 wickets in 18 Tests in Australia.
Talking about how an Ashes series in Australia ignites feelings in England cricketers, Anderson remarked, “There is just something about the Ashes as an England cricketer that lights a fire inside you.You are familiar with the history and what it means for Australian cricketers to beat England in front their own fans.You are not here to be laughed at and booed at.Your purpose is to make Australians proud of their team and feel good about themselves.It is our responsibility to ensure that this does not happen.”
The 39-year-old said that his preparation for the Ashes was very different from previous editions, but cited his rich experiences to help him get into a groove.”I have never been so prepared for bowling in the middle.It was a completely different preparation than anything I have ever experienced, not even an Ashes match.I feel fortunate that I have the experience to be able switch on when the Test match comes around.”
Anderson signed off by saying that he would be happy if he plays in three Tests in the Ashes and get to be on the winning side for a second time.”Personallly, I would love to play in three of the five Tests.Any more would be a bonus.I thought I would be able to complete all five against India in the season that ended in July, but the heat and conditions will make it more difficult so we will have to work together to get it over.It’s the same for Australia.”
“There’s Test cricket and an Ashes series.There is Ashes cricket, and then there is the Ashes series in Australia.It’s a different level and it would be an incredible feeling to win here for the second consecutive time in my career.”
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