James Anderson wants livelier pitches in the Ashes, admits Edgbaston surface did not suit his style

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England seamer James Anderson has admitted that he was not at his best in the first Ashes Test and is hoping for more assistance from the pitch at Lord's. </p>

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Anderson, who turns 41 next month, struggled to make an impact during Australia's tense two-wicket victory with just one wicket in 38 overs. </p>

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With minimal swing or seam and gentle carry, Anderson's primary weapons were dulled and he did not even bowl in the decisive final session. </p>

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That has put his place in some doubt for Wednesday's second Test at Lord's, though his record at the home of cricket - where he has 117 wickets at 24.58 - tells a different story. </p>

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Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Anderson admitted: 'That pitch was like kryptonite for me. There was not much swing, no reverse swing, no seam movement, no bounce and no pace. </p>

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"I have tried over the years to hone my skills so I can bowl in any conditions but everything I tried made no difference. I felt like I was fighting an uphill battle. </p>

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"There was a bit of rustiness but I gave it everything I could. Having played for a long time, I realise you cannot take wickets every game. Sometimes it is not your week. It felt like that for me. </p>

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"It is a long series and hopefully I can contribute at some point, but if all the pitches are like that, I am done in the Ashes series. </p>

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"I know I was not on top of my game. It was not my best performance. I know I have more to offer and contribute to the team. I want to make up for it at Lord's and all I can do is turn up on Sunday and prepare to play." </p>

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Anderson was twice stood down from new-ball duty at Edgbaston, a rarity in his two-decade Test career, but he revealed he was part of that decision. </p>

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"I had a chat with Ben Stokes about how I felt. We agreed it was the type of pitch the taller bowlers were getting more out of. I was completely on board with that," he said. </p>

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England are continuing to assess Moeen Ali's injured finger, which prevented the spinner playing a full part in the fourth innings of the match. </p>

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Head coach Brendon McCullum has said the all-rounder will play if the medical staff can patch up the badly blistered index finger, but back-up options remain under consideration. </p>

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Surrey's Will Jacks did his cause no harm on Thursday night when he smashed five sixes in an over during a knock of 96 against Middlesex in the T20 Blast. </p>

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His spin bowling is less developed, but explosive batting is very much part of the current England philosophy. </p>

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Mark Wood, who is capable of hitting paces in excess of 96mph, is also an increasingly attractive option. </p>

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Jofra Archer's speed caused big problems for Australia during the Lord's Test of 2019 and Wood is the only available option who can recreate that kind of hostility. </p>

<p>The article <a href="https://www.planetsport.com/cricket/news/james-anderson-wants-livelier-pitches-ashes-admits-edgbaston-surface-suit-style">James Anderson wants livelier pitches in the Ashes, admits Edgbaston surface did not suit his style </a> appeared first on Planetsport.com.</p>