"Don't think anyone can cope with us" - James Anderson feels England's best is enough to beat any team
Veteran England seamer James Anderson reckons any team will fall short before them when they are playing their best. The right-arm seamer revealed that their motive in the 2023 Ashes series will remain the same, which is to entertain the audience.
The Englishmen will aim to regaining the Ashes urn this year, having held it last in 2015. With their attacking brand of cricket in the last 18 months, England will be optimistic of regaining the urn after losing last two out of the last three Ashes series.
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Speaking at the Radox partnership launch for England cricket, the Lancashire bowler said they are relaxed ahead of the marquee series and are full of optimism. As quoted by ESPN Cricinfo, he stated:
"If you look at our team, if we play to the best of our ability with that mindset, I don't think anyone can cope with us. So yes, I think we can win. I feel like if we can keep the same mentality and the same sort of feeling in the dressing room we've had. It's fairly relaxed, we're trying to enjoy ourselves, we're trying to entertain people, take the positive option."
The 40-year-old admitted that it will be more than regular business due to the Ashes at stake; however, their motive of entertaining fans won't change.
"We're going to get the same messaging from Brendon and Ben about how we go about playing. I think there'll just be a little bit more attention around it because it is an Ashes series. But I just hope we can play the same way because it's been brilliant to be part of I'm excited by the way we've been playing, it's about something greater than the outcome. It's about entertaining people and trying to enjoy ourselves while we do it."
Since Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have taken over as the Test captain and coach, respectively, England have lost only two out of their last 12 matches. They also achieved their highest successful run-chase in the format.
"Completely different from any captain I've ever played with before" - James Anderson on Ben Stokes
Speaking about Stokes as captain, Anderson revealed that the all-rounder is a born leader and his work ethic is impeccable. Anderson added:
"It is hard to say over a short period of time but he's had an amazing start. I think he is completely different from any captain I've ever played with before and I've really enjoyed it. I can't fault anything really. I think everyone knew that he was a leader, the way he trains, whether it's the gym or whether it's catching or batting or bowling the way he goes about his business, he is the ultimate professional."
England will start their summer with a one-off Test against Ireland on June 1st, followed by the Ashes that begin on June 16th.