The ageless James Anderson is already licking his lips on the prospect of an “explosive” Ashes summer time.
Anderson’s tally of 177 Test caps places him second on the all-time listing behind India’s Sachin Tendulkar however, on the age of 40, he’s nonetheless weighing up future challenges somewhat than reliving previous glories.
Newcomers and veterans alike have been energised by England’s new attacking method and Anderson anticipates a blockbuster sequence when Australia arrive later this 12 months.
“It’s exciting to be in this team. Whoever we play it’s going to be fun, we’re going to give it a good crack and Australia in the summer could just be incredible,” he mentioned.
“I can’t see them (the Australians) doing anything but going toe-to-toe. They’re going to fight fire with fire and that’s going to make it so explosive and exciting.
“There is one thing fallacious with you as a participant for those who did not take pleasure in this fashion we’re taking part in.”
In December, Anderson celebrated his 20th year as an international player, the last five of which he has spent co-hosting a BBC podcast alongside DJ Greg James and former Maccabees guitarist Felix White.
“It’s continuously pondering and speaking concerning the recreation in a optimistic manner – so, sure, it has reinvigorated me,” Anderson mentioned.
“I reckon their love for the sport has truly reinvigorated my love for it. Definitely these previous couple of years.”
Enjoying his job has been even easier since Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum overhauled England’s entire approach and, with it, their results.
Stripping away fear of failure and replacing it with a desire to entertain has carried the team to nine wins from 10 Tests.
Anderson hailed the leadership and conviction of Stokes, citing the skipper’s insistence a weary bowling group be excused an audience with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after a late invitation in Rawalpindi last month.
“He simply went, ‘The bowlers aren’t going, they should recuperate’. He’s robust sufficient to do this,” Anderson mentioned.
“I’ve all the time had him down as a lead-by-example man. But he’s simply unbelievable, the emotional intelligence across the group, managing the gamers. I did not know he had this aspect to him.”
Anderson, though, could easily have walked away before Stokes’ revolution even began, having been surprisingly dropped alongside Stuart Broad for the preceding tour of the West Indies.
“There was undoubtedly a second once I thought that could possibly be it. There was a little bit of anger and disappointment,” he mentioned.
“I used to be simply attempting to make sense of it and never make any rash selections.”
