Anderson Gives Key Advice to England Pacers Before Ashes Series

England’s bowlers are gearing up for the Ashes series against Australia, and James Anderson isn’t mincing words. Pure speed, he says, won’t decide this battle. Accuracy, cunning, and patience will. That one nugget of advice already has fans speculating about England’s lineup.

The first Test at Perth Stadium starts Friday, and England is expected to field their full pace arsenal: Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, and Josh Tongue. That’s raw power on display, no doubt. Yet Anderson knows the Australians will have answers ready. “The pitches will move a bit, as they did before,” he said in a podcast. “You need precision as much as pace.”

Ben Stokes could be England’s secret weapon. Out of the group, he offers spells of skill and control that few others can match. But the injury cloud hanging over him has everyone guessing. Will Stokes bow long, or will England rotate cautiously to protect him? Fans are excited to know.

Anderson envisions a rotation system after Perth. One pacer rests while another takes over, leaving room for emerging talents like Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson. Shoaib Bashir and Jacob Bethell, though less heralded, could swing the momentum with a well-timed spell. That one moment, a quick breakthrough, could flip the series.

Australia, even with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood missing, remains favorites. Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Mitchell Starc anchor a lineup that’s far from easy to break. “There are cracks, sure,” Anderson said. “But Australia still has the edge at home.”

For England, this opening match will set the momentum. The roar of the crowd, the nerves in the players, and the weight of the urn all meet at once. A well-placed bouncer or a last-second catch can flip the mood and spark the kind of energy people expect in the Ashes.

Fans, pundits, and players all agree on one thing. The first Test in Perth may set the tone for the entire Ashes series in Australia. As Anderson keeps saying, the battle is not only about pace. Precision, patience, and a touch of luck will decide who holds the urn when the dust settles.