“In three Test matches that James Anderson played in Ashes 2023, it has just had no impact at all”, says Michael Vaughan after England loses Ashes 2023.
The inclusion of England’s most experienced pacer, James Anderson, in the playing XI for the fourth game of the Ashes 2023, did not yield the desired results for the Ben Stokes-led side. The match at Manchester ended in a draw, resulting in Australia retaining the Ashes. Former England captain Michael Vaughan raised questions about Anderson’s selection for the fourth Test, suggesting that it might have cost the home side the game.
James Anderson, at 41 years old, had been rested for the third Test, which England managed to win. However, he made a comeback for the fourth Test. Vaughan expressed his opinion that England should have considered including Josh Tongue for the Old Trafford game instead. The decision to go with the pace attack of Mark Wood, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, and Anderson might not have yielded the desired impact on the field.
Vaughan said “We all agreed that James Anderson deserved to have that sentimental pick because he’s a legend of the game, but it may have cost England, Josh Tongue is a young quick who has created impact in that one game that he has played, and I know the Australians don’t like facing him.” Moreover
Moreover he added “Jimmy, in the three Test matches that he’s played in this series, has just had no impact at all. I don’t remember him getting a key wicket at any stage and that’s very unlike Jimmy Anderson.”