The timeless and unrelenting Jimmy Anderson will still be a point of difference for England as the spearhead of their bowling attack, according to his former England teammate and fast bowler Steven Finn.
‘Jimmy is superhuman. People have been anticipating he will retire for about seven years now and he keeps surprising people,’ said Finn.
‘He didn’t have a fantastic summer last year but knowing him as a character he wouldn’t be doing this (touring India) unless he felt he could make a difference.
‘I think a determined Jimmy Anderson, well-managed, is someone who will be important to England, especially making the most of the reverse swing because he is an absolute master at that.’
It isn’t merely any anthill that England are facing. In fact, the visitors will have a mountain to climb against India who haven’t lost a home Test series since Alastair Cook’s side memorable triumph more than a decade ago.
Currently, the England team is training under a simulation of Indian conditions in Abu Dhabi and will reach Hyderabad on January 21 for the opening Test and Anderson will be expected to play a big role as the veteran strike bowler and help lead the likes of bowlers such as Ollie Robinson as well to find their footing in the challenging Indian conditions.
Another factor to keep in mind is the importance this tour holds for the infamous ‘Bazball’ approach of cricket the English side are now invested in.
The five-match series will be crucial for both sides in the World Test Championship and utilising the subcontinental conditions to play the hyper-aggressive and attacking brand of cricket that England do will be a challenge.
But, Finn believes that if England can channel their Bazball approach in the right moments, then they can cause India problems.
He said: ‘If you go 100 per cent aggression from the beginning then I think you can become unstuck. But if you give yourself a chance and then assert pressure back on India that could serve England well.
The five-match Test series between India and England shall begin from January 25, with the first Test taking place in Hyderabad.
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