Ashes 2023: Don’t be surprised if James Anderson puts in a big performance at Manchester, says Ian Bell

By India Today Sports Desk: Ian Bell expects James Anderson to make a big impact in his home Ashes Test at Manchester after the veteran pacer returned to the side for the match starting on July 19.

Anderson hasn’t had the best of times in the Ashes this year, as he has picked up just three wickets while conceding more than 200 runs.

The 40-year-old was dropped for the Headingley Test, which England won, but is now back in the side for the match at Manchester, which could be his final Ashes bow at Old Trafford.

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Speaking to the Daily Star, Bell said that Anderson has nothing to prove to anyone and claimed that the veteran would have been burning inside seeing the win at Leeds.

“He’s got nothing to prove to anyone, he’s shown what he can do time and time again.”

“There are endless words you can use to describe him, everyone of course talks about his skill level but his longevity as well and bowling through the pain down the years.

“He has just been incredible, in this series we haven’t seen the best of him, the first two games had wickets that weren’t helpful to any bowler in that side but knowing Jimmy he would’ve been burning seeing the win at Headingley.

Bell said that Anderson would be eager to make an impact in the Manchester Test and people shouldn’t be surprised if the veteran puts in a big performance this week.

“He would’ve loved seeing England win, of course, but the wicket had something in it and was swinging, seaming, he would’ve been such a handful in those conditions.

“He is a proper champion and a competitor so I’d imagine that will be burning inside him to make an impact and it’s at his home ground – and he’s said himself it might be his last Test match at Old Trafford.”

“When you talk about the greats like Jimmy, they find a way of writing their own scripts so don’t be surprised if he puts in a big performance this week.”