Dubai: James Anderson will need company in the bowling department if England are to reclaim The Ashes on home soil this summer, according to Australian spin great Shane Warne.
Anderson, 32, surpassed Sir Ian Botham’s record as England’s all-time highest wicket-taker in the drawn first Test against West Indies in Antigua last week after dismissing his 384th victim.
Warne, who is in Dubai competing in the Icons Cup all-star golf tournament at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club this week, said England’s other bowlers need to share the load during The Ashes Series from July 8 to August 24.
“It’s great to see Jimmy Anderson fight back with the new ball and bowl well because he’s such a great bowler and it’s great to see him get the England record,” said Warne, who took 708 wickets in 145 Tests for Australia between 1992 and 2007. “But he needs some help, you’ve got to take 20 wickets to win [The Ashes].
“I think England at the moment have got a few concerns when it comes to taking those 20 wickets. They have to play a lot better than they are playing at the moment, obviously Australia are big favourites because they’ve got so many matchwinners in their side.
“But if you look at the England side, Anderson and Stuart Broad had poor World Cups, they will be disappointed with the World Cup. They went the journey but couldn’t make the early wickets.
“It will be interesting to see what kind of pitches England decides to play on but a lot can still happen, it’s a long way to go, first England have a tough series against New Zealand where some of the bowlers will have to find some form to help Jimmy out, in order for them to be able to compete with Australia.”
On the batting side, Warne also hinted at possible return for England’s ousted Kevin Pietersen (KP) in time for The Ashes.
“Does KP make England a stronger side? You’d have to say yes. But it’s up to him to score some runs [for County side Surrey]. If he peels off three or four 100s he’s going to be back in the side, if he doesn’t, they are not going to pick him. I think credit to him for wanting to give it a go, he wants to play for England again so let’s hope he goes out makes some 100s and makes for interesting viewing leading up to that series [The Ashes].”
