Wednesday 1 July 2015 22:08, UK
Cricket Editor Oli Burley steps into the nets to take on England’s most successful bowler of all time ahead of the Ashes...
Facing Jimmy Anderson in the nets is like tackling a Terminator with a spud-gun – there’s only ever going to be one winner.
But channelling England’s new positive mind-set, I took guard against England’s leading wicket-taker of all time determined to ramp things up a little.
No matter that Jimmy had taken more Test scalps in the last year than I’d scored runs for my club, Worcester Park, in the last few.
I’d soaked up all of the Sky Sports masterclasses, arming myself with tips from the best talent in the game – including Jimmy – so there could be no surprises.
What I wasn’t expecting first ball was a juicy full toss and I duly clothed it straight to short mid-off.
“I’m disappointed with that,” said Jimmy after the exclusive Slazenger Cricket nets session. He was disappointed? That was my one chance to launch him into the back of beyond and I’d missed out.
Facing up again, I tried to take Jimmy’s advice and watch the seam out of his hand but was mesmerised by that silky smooth coil and delivery and missed out on an easy glance to fine leg.
By now I knew he knew that I plant my front foot so was expecting a bit of chin music – a daunting prospect even if Jimmy was, as he claimed, operating off a few strides at 60 per cent capacity.
I considered hanging back to set myself for a brutal David Warner-style pull but predictably prodded tentatively forward to what turned out to be a length delivery, pushing it in the vague direction of third man.
"Just like Kane Williamson,” I suggested. Jimmy just smiled, knowingly.
Slighted, I pre-meditated a booming square drive to my fourth ball. As the delivery left Jimmy’s hand my eyes lit up – I’d out-thought him.
But as it began to hoop in I knew I’d been set up. I tried to re-adjust my hands yet was powerless to prevent the ball scurrying under my inside edge, my follow-through purely for the cameras.
I waited for the death rattle but it never came. Feeling rather chastened I resolved, as Monte Lynch taught me all those years ago, ‘to protect my castle’.
This may be the hell-for-leather age but I’m more Mike Atherton vintage and as the final delivery seamed away I left well alone, drawing my bat inside the line.
‘Is that all you’ve got?’ Jimmy might have asked but this wasn’t the time for that type of chat and he knew the answer anyway.
I’d survived. My pride was just about intact and I hadn’t put an unlikely dent in Jimmy’s. He’d be back to win bigger, far more important battles.
Watch England take on Australia live on Sky Sports Ashes this summer – starting with the first Investec Ashes Test on July 8.
James Anderson was appearing on behalf of Slazenger Cricket whilst facing off against the media at an exclusive nets session. James Anderson will be using the Slazenger V1200 bat during this summer's Ashes, available for £299.99. For more information and to view the full Slazenger Cricket range visit Slazenger.com
