Legendary England fast bowler and current bowling consultant James Anderson has expressed strong support for Jofra Archer, suggesting that the fast bowler could play a key role in England's quest to regain the Ashes in Australia in 2025/26. Could. Archer, who has faced a challenging period with injuries, has played only white-ball cricket since recovering from a persistent elbow injury and has not played in a single Test match since February 2021. Anderson, however, considers the fast bowler essential to England's Ashes campaign – if he is willing and physically able to meet the demands of the red-ball game.
Speaking about Archer's potential, Anderson said, “If we can keep him fit, the Ashes is a definite opportunity. The only concern is whether injuries have kept him away from Test cricket and he wonders: 'Can my body cope with it?' But if Jofra works hard enough, and he manages well, he will be huge for us in the Ashes,” Anderson told The Guardian.
England's current focus on building a strong pace attack has also contributed to Anderson's retirement from international cricket, as the team prepares a roster of fast bowlers suitable for Australian conditions.
Apart from Archer, Anderson highlighted England's promising crop of fast bowlers, including Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts, all of whom could make significant contributions to England's attack in 2025/26.
Among the new generation of bowlers, Anderson praised Surrey's Gus Atkinson, who made his debut in the same match Anderson was out against the West Indies. Atkinson's impact was immediate, taking 12 wickets in the series, including an impressive seven in the first innings. Anderson said Atkinson, who has now taken 40 wickets in eight Test matches, has 'got everything'.
“I think we have enough experience with Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Archer and the guys coming through.
“Gus Atkinson has done really well, Brayden Carse and Matthew Potts too. They're getting experience all the time and if they get a chance to play 12 Tests it's great. It doesn't have to be 50 Tests. “
“He's got it all. Speed, skill and he learns things very quickly. I've worked with him a bit and he'll say, 'Okay, I want to learn the in-swinger' and within 12 balls he'll learn it. This is a great quality. “He has amazing ability and a wonderful temperament.”
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