Anderson plots summer of success

James Anderson has struck 22 times in just three first-class appearances so far this season, half in the West Indies Tests

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James Anderson believes the best is yet to come after starting the Ashes summer in supreme form.

Lancashire paceman Anderson has been talked up as England’s potential match-winner against Australia by numerous cricketing dignitaries, including former coach Duncan Fletcher.

The 26-year-old has claimed 22 first-class wickets already this season in just three outings, including nine in a man-of-the-match display in the second npower Test last week.

Although attention now switches to one-day action - the second match of the NatWest Series against West Indies takes place at Bristol tomorrow - focus on the summer’s main event is inevitable.

“I don’t think anyone has seen the best of Jimmy Anderson yet,” said Anderson.

“I think I’ve still got improving to do - and I hope I can do that, whether it’s through the Ashes series or beyond that.

“I hope I’ll be in similar form. It’s not that long away, and if I can have a good series here and the Twenty20 World Cup, then it’s time to start thinking about the Ashes.”

Anderson’s status as England’s attacking spearhead represents quite a contrast to even earlier this year when he was left out of the first Test against the West Indies in the Caribbean.

England derailed Australia in 2005 by creating detailed plans tailored to each individual batsman and Anderson will be integral to their effort this time with his ability to swing the ball whether new or old.

There are a new set of opponents to prepare dossiers for this time, however, including 20-year-old opener Phillip Hughes, who has blazed a trail for Middlesex this summer.

“I’ve got my own expectations,” Anderson said.

Twenty-year-old Anderson was thrust onto the international stage during the VB Series in Australia in December of 2002

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“I know what I can achieve in the Ashes; I know how big a part I can play and how important I am to this group of lads here; I’ll just be hoping to meet my expectations.

“It’s going to be crucial that we can get some plans nailed down early on and not wait for them to come at us. We’ve got to try to strike the first blow.

“All of us bowlers have input, everyone chirps up in meetings.

“But everyone is different in their bowling styles - so what might work for me might not work for Stuart Broad.

“We all have to have individual plans as well as having a team plan.

“My skills have always been there - I have always been able to swing it both ways and reverse-swing it both ways.

“It has been more to do with consistency in my line and length which has improved.

“So in the past when it was swinging I wasted quite a few balls whereas now I feel I am asking questions with pretty much every ball I bowl.”

It has been far from a smooth journey for Anderson, however, since making his international bow in Australia in December 2002.

A remodelled action, designed by former bowling coach Troy Cooley to take pressure off his body, actually had an adverse effect and he missed the entire 2006 international summer with a stress fracture of the back.

Prior to that he had spent a considerable length of time as England’s spare part on tours, which consigned him to bowling at one stump on public display during match intervals.

“I have tried to put that period behind me to be honest,” Anderson reflected.

“I didn’t enjoy any of it and being 12th man on tour is not a great job, so doing it series after series wasn’t great.

Anderson has been through some tough times since his England debut but is now viewed by many as their premier bowler

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“Everyone has to go through it at some stage in their career - it was just a bit longer than I thought it would be for me.

“That is in the past now, I am enjoying where I am, what I am doing and looking forward to the future.

“There was always some part of me that thought if I worked as hard as I had been doing then surely at some point my chance would come again.”

He reverted to his original action during his comeback three years ago and now has the chance to make his own mark against the Australians after two missed opportunities.

Firstly, in 2005 he made the final Test squad only to be left out as England opted for Paul Collingwood as an extra batsman and he did not do himself justice when he did appear in the 2006-07 defeat Down Under.