Former England captain Nasser Hussain has backed James Anderson to come good as the hosts attempt to draw level in the ongoing Ashes 2023 Test series after the fourth match in Manchester was drawn against Australia after consistent rains washed the fifth day out.
As a result of this Australia retained the Ashes urn, but the series is still not over as they are looking for their first Ashes series win in England since 2001.
On the other side, England will be worrying about the form of their most experienced pacer James Anderson, who has been a disappointment thus far with just four wickets in 3 Tests in this series.
Former England batter Nasser Hussain however, in his column at the Daily Mail has argued that Anderson should be picked in England's best XI to face Australia.
“If I was picking England’s best XI to face Australia, he would still be in it. Yes, Anderson’s wickets cost 32 runs apiece there, considerably more expensive than his career mark of 26 - but four months ago he was the No 1-ranked bowler in the world and although it might be the oldest cliche, class is permanent,” Hussain wrote in his column in Daily Mail.
Anderson picked just one wicket in his 37 overs on his home ground in Manchester where Australia retained the urn. Hussain however argued that Anderson was not done, and only he knew what was the best time for him to retire.
“Only the individual knows when the time is right to retire, whether they are physically and mentally done. There are only so many times you can go to the well, only so many times you get out of bed, strap those bowling boots on and go again. That point will come for Anderson, but I don’t see in his body language that he’s running on empty," Hussain stressed in his column.
“He’s just performing a bit below par. When a great is a bit below par, it would be very unfair - wrong, in fact - to leave him out. Great cricketers just deserve that little bit more, in keeping with their mighty efforts,” Hussain added.
England will take on Australia in the final Test match at The Oval from July 27 onwards, hoping to draw the ongoing series.
