Anderson doesn't think Tremlett selection is a done deal
Attack spearhead James Anderson has contradicted bowling coach David Saker's suggestion that Chris Tremlett will secure the third specialist seamer's berth for the first Ashes Test, which will get underway in Brisbane on Thursday.
Attack spearhead James Anderson has contradicted bowling coach David Saker's suggestion that Chris Tremlett will secure the third specialist seamer's berth for the first Ashes Test, which will get underway in Brisbane on Thursday.
Saker, last week, all but confirmed Tremlett had beaten fellow right-armers Steven Finn and Boyd Rankin to the post. Anderson, however, has insisted the competition has not yet been finalised.
"I think all of them, the bowling group as a whole, have got better as the tour has gone on," said Anderson. "I think there was some rustiness in the first warm-up match at Perth. Certainly, I felt that as well.
"But as the preparation has gone on, we've all started to find some rhythm. I think it could be quite a tricky decision for the selectors. In my experience, the nets can be quite important.
"I'm sure the bowlers are well aware of that, and I wouldn't really like to be a batsman facing them this week. Our strategy as a bowling group is to create pressure, and take wickets that way. That's crucial not just for the third seamer but all three and the spinner to do. That's our goal."
Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, meanwhile, has publicly declared his intention to target the visiting batsmen – namely the left-handed Alastair Cook and the right-handed Jonathan Trott – with a slew of short deliveries.
"Johnson bowled very well in the ODI series in India, but we know he is only one or two spells away from being quite erratic. We know that if we bat well against a guy like that, we might get some good scoring opportunities," added Saker.
"If he says he's going to try to take batsmen's heads off, that means he's going to bowl short. If he bowls short, he's not attacking the stumps – so that's a plus for us."
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