Jimmy Anderson’s bowled over by the prospect of testing himself against the best

 
Tom Collomosse17 July 2012

Jimmy Anderson expects England’s Test series against South Africa to be their toughest challenge in years as the world’s two strongest bowling attacks prepare to do battle during the next month.

England need to avoid defeat in the three-match series, which starts here at The Kia Oval on Thursday, to retain their spot at the top of the world Test rankings.

Victory for South Africa would enable them to replace Andrew Strauss’s team at the summit.

England have not lost a Test series on home soil since the Proteas won 2-1 here four years ago, bringing to an end the captaincy of Michael Vaughan.

Anderson was involved in that battle and understands the task that lies ahead.

“Are we the best two bowling attacks? I would say so,” said Anderson. “Both have shown it over the last 18 months.

“We are strong units and it will be a good battle. The last couple of times South Africa have been here, they have played really well and we like testing ourselves against the best.

“South Africa soak up pressure better than any other side in the world so we need to be more patient than in recent series. The tension out in the middle might even be heightened because it is such an important series.”

The build-up to the clash has been dominated by debate about whether Kevin Pietersen’s retirement from limited-overs cricket, announced in June, will be brought to an end.

Anderson added: “It’s not a distraction. We’re 100 per cent focused on the cricket and we will let other people talk about those matters. Kevin has made headlines for a number of years since he first came into the sides and that will probably continue until the end of his career. We don’t talk about it in the dressing room.

“We are trying to concentrate on this series. We’re excited about the form he has shown this summer. He has carried on from the Indian Premier League and we hope it can continue to the end of the series. Let’s hope he scores big runs.”

While Anderson is one of England’s most dangerous players, South Africa also have considerable talent in their squad. Jacques Kallis has been one of the world’s top all-rounders for a number of years and despite a modest record in England, his potential threat in this series cannot be overstated. Kallis averages nearly 57 with the bat and 32 with the ball, and given the absence of wicketkeeper Mark Boucher, whose eye injury last week forced him to retire from international cricket, Kallis’s seniority will be even more crucial.

“This England side is right up there with the good teams I’ve played against in the past,” he said. “They have had some good teams in the past and it’s always tough to win in this country. This is one of the ultimate tours and hopefully I can play a big role in helping us achieve victory.”

EOIN MORGAN could face disciplinary action after missing Middlesex’s CB40 match against Lancashire yesterday. The England batsman was delayed when travelling to the game by train.

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