During the recent Ashes series against Australia, Anderson faced difficulties and struggled to make a significant impact, managing just five wickets from four Test appearances at an average of 85.40. However, Hussain emphasizes that it would be unwise to underestimate Anderson’s capabilities, given his illustrious career and impressive record as one of the best pacers in modern cricket. With Stuart Broad’s retirement, Anderson assumes a greater responsibility as he approaches the twilight of his career, and Hussain believes the experienced right-armer is ready for the challenge and can thrive on the sub-continent.

Hussain points out Anderson’s excellent record against India, with six of his 32 five-wicket hauls in Tests coming against them, and his decent average of 29.32 in India. The former captain highlights the importance of Anderson’s experience in the bowling attack, especially in the absence of Broad and other retirees.

Despite Anderson’s recent challenges, Hussain emphasizes that the pacer remains hungry for success, as evidenced by his determination to get back to his best. Hussain dismisses any notion of writing off Anderson, who is just ten wickets away from the historic milestone of 700 Test wickets.

While the absence of Broad and Moeen Ali will be felt by England, Hussain believes the team possesses good bowling depth. Players like Jack Leach, Rehan Ahmed, Josh Tongue, and Ollie Robinson are capable of performing well in India. However, the challenge of facing India on their home turf, especially against their spinners, poses a stern test for the English side.

In conclusion, Hussain sees the upcoming series against India as the next test for England, and he believes the team has the potential to handle the challenges posed by the sub-continental conditions and the Indian spinners.

England has decided to bring back the seasoned 40-year-old bowler, James Anderson, for the upcoming fourth Ashes Test against Australia, set to commence at Old Trafford on Wednesday. This marks the only change from the victorious third Test, where England narrowed Australia’s series lead to 2-1 with two matches left.

In this alteration, Ollie Robinson will make way for Anderson, who has been instrumental in England’s bowling arsenal over the years. Despite being dropped for the third Test due to a lackluster performance, where he managed only three wickets for 226 runs in the opening two matches of the series, Anderson’s experience and skill are being relied upon in this crucial encounter.

Another notable adjustment to England’s lineup is Moeen Ali batting at No. 3, a position he occupied in the second innings at Headingley. This change allows Harry Brook to maintain his spot at No. 5, solidifying the team’s batting order.

England finds itself in a challenging position, requiring victories in both remaining Tests to claim the Ashes for the first time since 2015. On the other hand, if Australia secures just one more win, they will achieve a historic series victory in England for the first time since 2001. The stakes are high as the battle for Ashes glory intensifies.

Despite Captain Ben Stokes’ request for “flat, fast wickets,” the Edgbaston surface was described by Stuart Broad as “soulless” and one of the slowest he had encountered in England.

Anderson acknowledged his subpar performance in the opening match, where he returned from a groin injury and recorded match figures of 1-109. However, he expressed frustration with the unhelpful pitch, stating that it offered minimal swing, reverse swing, seam movement, bounce, or pace.

“I have worked on developing my skills to be effective in any conditions, but nothing seemed to work. It felt like an uphill battle. Despite some rustiness, I gave my all,” Anderson shared in his Daily Telegraph column. “I believe I have more to contribute to the team, and I aim to make amends at Lord’s.”

England declared on 393-8 on the first day and held a dominant position for a significant portion of the match. However, Australia’s cautious approach paid off as they secured a two-wicket victory, primarily due to a 55-run ninth-wicket partnership between captain Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon.

Despite the defeat, Anderson highlighted several positives to carry into the second Test at Lord’s, commencing on June 28. He emphasized the value of the team’s playing style and the positive reactions it garnered, as noted by coach Brendon McCullum.

“While we ultimately aim to win and will be judged by the result, it’s crucial that we assess ourselves based on our performance as a team,” Anderson concluded optimistically.

Anderson’s performance shows no signs of decline, and he continues to excel. With 685 wickets, he is England’s leading bowler in Test matches and recently became the oldest player to top the ICC test rankings. Despite turning 41 next month, Anderson has recovered from a groin injury and confirmed his fitness for the Ashes opener at Edgbaston.

Speaking on the Legends of the Ashes podcast, Broad praised Anderson’s unwavering competitiveness and described him as addicted to cricket. Anderson is driven to train and constantly improve his game, a trait that is evident in his remarkable performances. At 40, he is arguably bowling better than he was four years ago, which is a testament to his dedication and love for the sport.

Anderson and Broad, who were omitted from England’s tour of the West Indies following a disappointing Ashes series in Australia, bring invaluable experience to the team. Their absence was felt during the Caribbean tour, highlighting the significance of their presence in the squad.

While England’s aggressive batting style under captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum has brought them success, having wicket-taking bowlers like Broad and Anderson is crucial to back up the batting firepower. As the most lethal bowling partnership in test history, they have collectively taken 1,017 wickets in 134 tests. England will rely on their combined skills to challenge Australia in the upcoming Ashes series.

Broad also acknowledged that Anderson has grown as a player over the past year, particularly with the new leadership of Stokes and McCullum. Their partnership focuses on analyzing and adapting to the conditions in the early overs of a match, allowing them to make breakthroughs. Effective communication and a constant flow of information have elevated their partnership to a new level.

Anderson, who holds the record for the most wickets by an English bowler in tests with 685 dismissals, sustained the injury while playing for Lancashire last week. As a result, he is unlikely to participate in the solitary test against Ireland prior to the Ashes, with the inclusion of uncapped bowler Josh Tongue in the squad.

When asked about his fitness for the opener against Australia at Edgbaston on June 16, the 40-year-old Anderson assured the Telegraph newspaper, “Yes, definitely.”

He added, “I have no issues with running and bowling again, and I remain optimistic that I can continue my current form and be fully prepared for the Ashes.”

Anderson outlined his plan to gradually increase his workload at Lancashire over the next few days before joining the England squad on Sunday to assess his progress. While he is part of the squad for the Ireland test, a final decision regarding his participation will be made closer to the match.

The availability of Anderson is of utmost importance to England, especially in the absence of the injured fast bowler Jofra Archer. After suffering a 4-0 defeat in the previous Ashes series in Australia, England will be eager to field a strong and experienced bowling lineup for the upcoming contest.

The 40-year-old, the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket history with 685 scalps, suffered the injury during a County Championship match for Lancashire against Somerset. This raised concerns of a potential repeat of the 2019 Ashes, where Anderson’s comeback was cut short after just four overs in the first Test due to injury. With his absence having a significant impact on England’s bowling attack, Australia emerged victorious by a margin of 251 runs.

Anderson’s scans, however, have shown promising results, leading to his inclusion in England’s 15-man squad for the solitary Test against Ireland at Lord’s, set to commence on June 1.

England’s management team may opt to rest James Anderson for the upcoming Test against Ireland, considering the Ashes opener at Edgbaston in two weeks’ time. Although Anderson believes he will be fit for the Ireland game, he acknowledges the possibility of sitting out to avoid any risks. His primary focus is on regaining full fitness for the first Ashes Test, and he is willing to skip the Ireland Test if necessary.

Expressing his optimism about his recovery, Anderson mentioned that the recent scan revealed a minor groin strain, which typically requires a 10-day recovery period. He has already commenced his rehabilitation and expects to resume running next week. Anderson emphasized that his current injury is different from the more severe one he suffered in 2019.

Reflecting on the situation, Anderson acknowledged that missing a game was disappointing but also recognized the silver lining. Given the demanding schedule of five Ashes Tests in just over six weeks, he considers his groin problem to be a blessing in disguise, allowing him to manage his workload effectively in preparation for the crucial Ashes series.

Late Sunday, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced that James Anderson has sustained a “mild strain to his right groin” just a month before the Ashes get underway. Anderson, who is the most successful fast bowler in Test history with 685 wickets, suffered the injury during Lancashire’s County Championship match against Somerset at Old Trafford. He took no further part in the match, which ended in a draw on Sunday. The ECB said that Anderson’s fitness will be evaluated closer to the time of the lone Test against Ireland at Lord’s starting on June 1. England will name a squad for the Ireland game later this week, which precedes a five-match Ashes series against Australia commencing on June 16. The injury was not deemed “anything too serious” by Lancashire coach Glen Chapple, who stated that Anderson had a scan on the injury on Saturday.

Ahead of the Ashes, England will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the 2019 opener at Edgbaston, where James Anderson was only able to bowl four overs before being forced to withdraw due to a torn calf, sustained while playing for Lancashire. As substitutes are not permitted to bowl, Anderson’s absence left a significant gap in England’s attack, contributing to Australia’s eventual 251-run victory.

This latest injury to Anderson adds to a growing list of fitness problems among England’s fast bowlers. Jofra Archer has been out with a recurring elbow problem, while Olly Stone suffered a hamstring injury while playing for Nottinghamshire. Brydon Carse, who has yet to play in a Test match, was sidelined with a side injury sustained while playing for Durham.

England will name their squad for the upcoming Test against Ireland later this week. Anderson’s fitness will be assessed closer to the time of the match, which begins on June 1st at Lord’s. After the Ireland game, England will face arch-rivals Australia in a five-match Ashes series beginning on June 16th.

But the veteran fast bowlers later returned to the squad and helped the team win five of their six tests this summer, with Anderson also becoming the leading wicket-taker among pace bowlers across all formats. “It’s great to see Jimmy at 40 and Broady at 36 having a new lease of life in the dressing room and honestly I can’t tell you when the end will be,” Stokes said.

“We’ve got the Ashes coming up next summer and I’m pretty sure they have got their eyes set on that.â€?“I honestly just can’t see a point where they decide it’s time for them to step away,” Stokes added. The Ashes is expected to be held in June and July next year. England is due to face South Africa in their series decider at The Oval later on Thursday.

Earlier, in reply to New Zealand’s 553, England’s first innings in the first session was stopped at 539 runs. Joe Root, who started the day on 163, was dismissed for 176. 56 runs came from the bat of Ben Foakes. England lost their last five wickets for just 23 runs in the face of Trent Boult’s knock. New Zealand got a 14-run lead. Boult took five wickets for 106 runs.