Ashes 2023: Picking James Anderson may have cost England in drawn Manchester Test, says Michael Vaughan

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan reckons picking James Anderson may have cost the hosts in the drawn Manchester Test against Australia in the ongoing Ashes. Anderson could only take three wickets in the first two Ashes Test matches at a poor average of 75.33.

The veteran was then dropped from the third Test match but he was added to the fourth Test match’s playing XI after Ollie Robinson suffered an injury.

But the veteran fast bowler could only take a solitary wicket in the fourth Test match. Anderson has thus far scalped four wickets in three Test matches at an average of 76.75 and he has looked far from his best.

“We all agreed that James Anderson deserved to have that sentimental pick this week because he’s a legend of the game, but it may have cost England. In the three games Anderson has played he’s had no impact at all. I don’t remember him picking up a key wicket. It’s not like him at all,” Vaughan told BBC after the drawn Test in Manchester.

In fact, England could have also played Josh Tongue who had bagged a total of five wickets in the second Test match at Lord’s. Tongue had impressed with his pace and had also got the ball to swing both ways.

“Josh Tongue is a young quick who has created impact in the one Test he played. I know Australia doesn’t like facing him,” Vaughan added.

There is no doubt that James Anderson hasn’t been at his best in the ongoing series and England will have to take a tough call with him for the fifth Ashes Test match, which will be Kennington Oval, London. In fact, Anderson doesn’t have a great record while playing at Kennington Oval as he has scalped 49 wickets in 15 Test matches at an average of 32.12 while playing at the venue.

Meanwhile, England didn’t have the rub of the green on their side as the fifth day was washed out due to rain when they needed five more wickets, with Australia trailing by 61 runs.

The fifth and final Test match will be played at Kennington Oval, London from July 27.