English fast bowler James Anderson criticised the first Ashes Test’s pitch on Thursday saying that it didn't have much to offer to the pacers.
Anderson, 40, ended the first Test with figures of 109-1 in 38 overs. Furthermore, he was not trusted with the new ball in the dying stages of the match when Australia needed 54 runs with two wickets in hand, which came as a surprise as he is known as one of the best bowlers with the new ball.
“This is an Ashes series. It is a big deal. When you play on a flat pitch like the one at Edgbaston and take a wicket, a bit more emotion does come out because you have worked extra hard for it,” Anderson wrote in a column for The Telegraph.
“That pitch was like kryptonite for me. There was not much swing, no reverse swing, no seam movement, no bounce and no pace. I’ve tried over the years to hone my skills so I can bowl in any conditions but everything I tried made no difference.”
The pacer further said that if pitches for the remaining matches are like Edgbaston, then he is “done”.
“I felt like I was fighting an uphill battle. It’s a long series and hopefully, I can contribute at some point, but if all the pitches are like that I’m done in the Ashes series,” he added.
The 40-year-old, who recently returned from injury, admitted that his body was a bit rusty in the first Test.
“There was a bit of rustiness but I gave it everything I could. Having played for a long time, I realise you can’t take wickets every game. Sometimes it is not your week. It felt like that for me. I know I wasn’t on top of my game this week. It was not my best performance. I know I have more to offer and contribute to the team,” he added.
“The body felt quite good. There is some stiffness but I put that down to the unique conditions. We were running in on a very soft outfield then landing on a rock-hard pitch and that takes its toll on the body more than normal. All the bowlers were feeling that a bit.”
- James Anderson