Nasser Hussain, the former England cricket captain, has shown strong support for veteran pacer James Anderson, asserting that it would be unwise to disregard his potential. He has confidence that Anderson will regain form and make significant contributions during England's tour of India in the coming year.
In the recent Ashes series versus Australia, Anderson's performance was disappointing, with the 41-year-old fast bowler securing only five wickets across four Test matches at an average of 85.40. This unexpected showing was in contrast to Anderson's reputation as one of the best pacers in the modern game and the record-holder for the most Test wickets (690) by a fast bowler.
With Stuart Broad retiring, Anderson faces increased responsibility in his career's later stages. However, Hussain believes the seasoned right-arm bowler will succeed in India.
"I think especially with Broad going, I would like that experience (in India)," Hussain told host Sanjana Ganesan on the latest episode of The ICC Review.
"Chris Woakes has stated that he's not that keen anymore of playing away from home and his record's not great away from home."
"We'll see, he (Woakes) might change his mind. There's been a lot of mind changes recently. But if you don't have Woakes and you don't have Broad, you will need that experience of someone like Jimmy Anderson."
Anderson's record against India is highly commendable. Six of his 32 five-wicket hauls in Tests came against India, and his average in the Asian nation is impressive compared to other venues.
"Jimmy's got a very good record against India… and you need a balanced attack. You need that experience for younger players to come in," Hussain noted.
"Listen, Jimmy's had a bad or an average couple of months, but you are a fool if you're writing off Jimmy Anderson."
"I spoke to him in an interview yesterday and he was like, the hunger is still there. He's already thinking about how to get back to his best."
"He's already thinking about going back in the nets and working hard at his game and that's a good sign for me that he's still got that hunger. He's, what, 10 wickets away from 700, and that will keep him going for a while yet."
Despite the loss of Broad and Moeen Ali, Hussain remains optimistic about England's bowling depth and their ability to perform well in India.
"Jack Leach will (hopefully) be back and Rehan Ahmed is a very good second spinner, as we saw in Pakistan,” Hussain said.
“Josh Tongue has bowled really well. Ollie Robinson is a very skilful bowler. Unfortunately, someone like Olly Stone is injured and obviously Jofra Archer is injured."
“You need that extra pace as well in India. So England have got... they've got that lad (Gus) Atkinson at Surrey, who has a lot of good things being said about him."
"So England have options. It’s the next test for Bazball. They said Bazball will work against one side, then they moved on to the next side. Then they moved on to New Zealand, Australia, Pakistan. The next challenge is India and everyone knows India in India is one of the sternest challenges in Test match cricket."
"It's Bazball against spin. Bazball against Ravi Ashwin, (Ravindra) Jadeja and Axar Patel and that is going to be fascinating."
The expectations are high for England's upcoming tour, and the spotlight will undoubtedly be on Anderson's performance, among others, as England faces India's powerful cricket lineup.
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