James Anderson, the experienced England seamer, acknowledged that Steve Smith, the Australian great, has been highly successful against them in recent times. Anderson, aged 40, pointed out that England’s focus on trying too hard to take wickets has been their downfall and emphasized the need for a change in approach for the 2023 Ashes.
Smith boasts an exceptional Test record in England, with an average of 59.55 in 30 innings, including six centuries. He proved to be England’s biggest challenge during the 2019 Ashes, accumulating 774 runs in four Tests at an astonishing average of 110, contributing significantly to Australia’s retention of the Ashes urn.
In a candid interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, James Anderson, the seasoned cricketer, disclosed a startling truth. Acknowledging Steve Smith’s overwhelming success against England, Anderson suggested that the team’s previous strategies had been excessive in their quest to dismiss opponents.
Anderson attributed England’s recent triumphs to a newfound approach that allowed their batsmen to play with unrestricted freedom, unburdened by concerns about the bowler’s threat. He emphasized the team’s focus on identifying and capitalizing on their own strengths, rather than fixating on the opposition.
Drawing from his vast experience of 179 Test matches, Anderson stressed the significance of claiming 20 wickets to secure victory. He cautioned against the dangers of obsessing over a single player, especially when facing a formidable batting lineup like Australia’s.