James Anderson, the veteran English pacer, believes there is something entirely different and refreshing about the current English side – led by the newly-appointed pair of coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes – which he hadn’t experienced through the course of his 20-year international career. The calmness, the sense of pragmatism and sheer self-belief.
“I have never been in a dressing-room before when we have chased 300 (299) on a pitch that is turning and everyone being so calm, believing we were going to chase them down,” said Anderson. “That for me, after 20 years of playing international cricket, I had never seen before.
“You always get a few jittery people but one to 11 and the staff included were just calm and believed. I think that belief can go such a long way, especially with the young players we have got. We’re trying to develop their confidence and experience, I think that will do wonders for them.”
England whitewashed New Zealand 3-0 and in doing so staged a remarkable turnaround after coming into the series with a woeful record of having won just one out of the 17 previous Tests. They now face India in the rearranged fifth Test at Edgbaston from July 1 onwards.
“When the standard of player is that high you try and raise your game as much as you can”
James Anderson is looking forward to facing India’s strong batting line up in the final Test 💪 pic.twitter.com/BggzIrqGre
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 29, 2022
