Jimmy Anderson is expected to win a recall this week as England head into their must-win fourth Ashes Test on his home ground of Old Trafford.
Anderson was officially “rested” for the three-wicket victory over Australia at Headingley, even if three wickets at 75 runs apiece during the defeats at Edgbaston and Lord’s sparked wider questions about the 40-year-old bowler’s enduring potency.
These concerns are not shared by Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, however, with sources saying Anderson is “all but certain” to play in the fourth Test that gets under way on Wednesday. England must level the series at 2-2 and set up what would be a blockbuster decider at the Oval.
Ollie Robinson appears the likeliest to make way here, having been a passenger for much of the third Test after the back spasms he experienced on day one. The 29-year-old has declared himself “100% fit” since, however, and will be looking to prove this when England’s players resume training on Monday after a seven-day break.
Josh Tongue is the other spare seamer in the squad and impressed with five wickets in his solitary outing at Lord’s. But unless England believe the Old Trafford pitch requires a second outright fast bowler alongside Mark Wood, there is likely to be only one change, with a decision over who bats at No 3 – Harry Brook, Moeen Ali or Joe Root – to follow.
It may prove to be Anderson’s final outing at Old Trafford, even if England’s record Test wicket-taker has remained tight-lipped on any possible retirement plans. Stuart Broad has also offered a defence of his new-ball partner’s early series form, insisting a badly timed groin injury in the buildup and the two pitches prepared were to blame.
“At Lord’s, we had six of the best bowlers in the world bowling cross-seam bouncers, which tells you all you need to know about what the pitch was offering from a good length,” Broad wrote in the Mail on Sunday. “But Jimmy has been one of the world’s best bowlers for a long time and he can put those issues behind him. He’s bowled goodness knows how many overs at Old Trafford and I’m expecting a big performance from him in a high-pressure game.”
All eyes will be on the weather forecast over the coming week. Rain is set to feature throughout the match, giving rise to the possibility of a draw that would mean Australia would retain the Ashes as the current holders.
