James Anderson: "Since 2010 it's definitely the best I've bowled out here"

GEORGE DOBELL: At one stage on the second day, Anderson produced a spell of 1 for 1 in six overs, including five maidens

James Anderson believes he produced his best bowling performance in Australia in more than 10 years on the second day in Melbourne.

Anderson claimed 4 for 33 from 23 metronomic overs to help restrict Australia to 267 in their first innings. But another poor display with the bat left England reeling by the end of day and facing defeat inside three days.

At one stage on the second day, Anderson produced a spell of 1 for 1 in six overs, including five maidens, later revealing he felt he was "going to get a wicket every ball". And with excellent support from Mark Wood, in particular, England kept Australia's lead to what appeared to be a relatively manageable 82 runs.

But with England subsiding to 31 for 4 by the close, Anderson was left to lament another "disappointing" performance by the batters.

"I think it would be up there [with my best bowling displays in Australia]," he said. "Since 2010 it's definitely the best I've bowled out here.

^{Steve Smith was bowled by James Anderson (Hamish Blair/AFP via Getty Images)}

"I just felt in good rhythm. I didn't feel great yesterday strangely but changed ends today and felt much better. I got into a really good rhythm and felt like I was challenging every ball.

"There was a spell late in the first session when I felt like I was going to get a wicket every ball. I honestly felt in that good a rhythm. So it's just nice to get some wickets when you're in that sort of rhythm because it doesn't happen all the time.

"On the bowling front, I thought we did really well to stick at our task throughout the day. We talked a lot about the lengths we wanted to hit and the pressure we wanted to create and I thought we were really good all day. We created a lot of chances and got our rewards. We were pretty pleased to bowl them out for 260."

Although Anderson was quick to praise the bowling of the Australian opening pair, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, he did acknowledge that England’s batters had under-performed in both innings.

"Again, if we’re being honest, we should have got somewhere near their score [in England's first innings], if not more," he said. "It certainly felt possible on that wicket.

"It's a new-ball wicket. It did less as the ball got older and the day went on. So we knew that last 12 overs would be tough with the new ball but even so, to lose four wickets was really disappointing.

"The spell from Starc and Cummins was outstanding. But that's what you expect, they're world-class bowlers and have done it in Test cricket for many, many years so it shouldn't take anyone by surprise that they bowled like that. It was disappointing to lose four wickets in that period.

"It's dangerous, as a bowler, to talk about our batting. We're a team here. We're all working hard to try and put in much better performances. We haven't bowled great in the first two games. Today we put in a much better performance. All I can see from the batting group is how hard they are working to put things right. It can be difficult. I don’t want to get into a bowlers v batters thing. We're a team here."

While Anderson admits he was not at his best in the second Test, in Adelaide, he also revealed he felt fit enough to play in the first Test in Brisbane. England left him out of that game as they felt he was at risk from injury having not enjoyed sufficient overs in the warm-up games.

"I felt I was fit for that game," Anderson said. "But the decision was made that I missed the game and there's no point talking about that now.

"I did feel a little bit rusty at Adelaide. I didn't feel in great rhythm throughout the game. It does sometimes take a game or two to get that rhythm that you need, or to feel like you’re bowling well. So, I'm just happy that I've felt a lot better this game and I managed to get some wickets.

^{Anderson picked up four wickets for England (Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)}

"But yes, I felt fit to play in Brisbane."

Anderson also described the scenes around the England camp in the morning when it became apparent several members of the tour party had tested positive for Covid. But he reiterated that "continuing the tour is the plan" and confirmed that the entire team were scheduled to undergo PCR tests after play on the second day.

"We actually got on the bus to come to the ground at the usual time but were then told to get off because we found out about a couple of positive lateral flows," he said. "All the lads then went in and had lateral flows to make sure we were all okay and then waited for the all-clear to come here to the ground.

"I'm sure continuing the tour is the plan. It depends on the PCR test results and what situation that leaves us in. As long as the group that's in at the ground today are negative I don't see why we can’t carry on.

"We're all having PCR tests now and we'll need all those to be clear really if possible. So, we’ll just have to wait and see what the results are from them."

Our coverage of the Ashes is brought to you in association with Cricket 22

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