James Anderson described the lifeless ground at Edgbaston as being like “kryptonite” for him during the first match of the Ashes series. Anderson is concerned that he will be unable to assist England in their battle against Australia if the other pitches in the series are flat and sluggish.
Ben Stokes, the team’s captain, had requested “flat, fast wickets” for the series, but seamer Stuart Broad characterized the surface at Edgbaston as “soulless” and one of the slowest he had seen in England.
Anderson admitted that he did not perform up to his usual standards in the first game, registering match statistics of 1-109 on his comeback from a groin injury, but he stated that the wicket did not help him in any way.
According to what he said in his column for the Daily Telegraph, “If all the pitches are like that, I’m done in the Ashes series.” “That sales pitch was as toxic to me as kryptonite. The swing was not very strong, there was no reverse swing, there was no seam movement, there was no bounce, and there was no speed.
“I’ve spent a lot of time and effort over the years trying to develop my abilities so that I can bowl successfully under all situations, but nothing I’ve done has made a difference. I had the impression that I was fighting a struggle against the odds. Even though there was some rustiness, I gave it everything I could possibly give.
“I am aware that I have more to give to the squad and that I have more to offer. I really want to make amends at Lord’s.”
England declared on 393-8 on the first day of the competition and were in the driver’s seat for much of the contest; however, Australia’s frequently conservative strategy paid off as they secured a two-wicket victory courtesy to a 55-run ninth-wicket stand between skipper Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon. England’s total of 393-8 was the highest score of the tournament.
Anderson stated that there were plenty of positives to go into the second Test at Lord’s, which will begin on June 28. Despite the loss, Anderson felt there were plenty of positives to take into the test.
“After day four, (coach) Brendon McCullum said we had already won regardless of the result because of the reaction from people about the way we played, and the fact that we had stuck to our style,” he continued. “The reaction from people about the way we played, and the fact that we had stuck to our style.”
It appears that the approach we are playing is producing the desired results. We are obviously aware that we want to win, and we will be evaluated based on the result; but, it is beneficial for us as a team to evaluate ourselves based on how well we performed.