Andy Flower: James Anderson will be fit for the Ashes
England coach Andy Flower has backed seamer James Anderson to be fit for the first Ashes Test in Brisbane on 28 November.
The 28-year-old fast bowler broke a rib while boxing teammate Chris Tremlett earlier this month during an England training camp. This has led some to criticise the England and Wales Cricket Board's decision
to permit the camp instead of allowing players to rest.
However, Flower has confirmed that Anderson has reacted well to a variety of physical treatments and is already bowling at around 75 per cent of his normal full fitness.
It's important to any hopes England has of retaining the Ashes that Anderson plays. His absence can be accounted for but there are few other players in the world that can move the ball around in the air
as effectively.
Ashes chances
James Anderson is one of the most important players in the England team. He has taken 188 Test match wickets and will be looking to cross the 200 mark while playing in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746.
Anderson can move the ball sideways better than any other bowler in the world. Therefore it's very important he is fit in time for the first Test match because this movement can be crucial on otherwise
flat Australian pitches. The Kookaburra ball does not stay rock hard for more than 15 overs, which makes this even more important.
Anderson has been on many tours with the England team. He has experience of being away from home for long spells. His role off the pitch in keeping morale and spirits high will be just as important.
"He's already bowling at 75%, so he should be fine for the first Test. More than likely he'll be OK for two of the warm-up games. It was an excellent camp, actually, and I think the players and management
that were involved in it did things that they might never have done before in their lives and might never do again," said Flower.
The replacements
If Anderson does suffer a setback during his recovery from the rib injury then the pressure will fall on the England replacements. Tim Bresnan would be the most likely bowler to replace Anderson.
The only problem is that Bresnan is yet to prove himself on the world stage of Test match cricket. The majority of his 14 Test match wickets have come against inexperienced sides such as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 and
it's impossible to predict how he'll react against a very strong Australian team.
Ironically the person who gave Anderson the injury in the first place could also be a good choice to come into the side. Chris Tremlett is very tall, quick and aggressive. The extra bounce he gets will
be useful but he cannot move the ball sideways in the same way as Anderson or Bresnan. Tremlett has only played three Test matches but has already taken 13 wickets.
Betting advice
England will have a much better chance of being successful if James Anderson is fit and ready to play an entire Ashes series. England has a good chance of retaining the urn, but a lot will rest on the
movement Anderson can extract from batting friendly pitches.
Back Anderson to take five wickets in any Test match he plays over the course of this winter. If he is replaced then back the player that comes into the side. Bresnan and Tremlett should be having a war
away from the pitch in order to get Anderson's place in the side.
This means the potential replacements will be fired up and chomping at the bit to take some wickets.
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