Anderson earns his stripes

James Anderson has been charged with spearheading the England attack © Getty Images

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James Anderson may be considered one of the emerging players in England’s new one-day line-up, but he will step out at Old Trafford confirmed as the leader of their attack.

At just 25 years old the Lancashire seamer would be regarded as one of the younger members of most sides still learning his trade at the highest level.

But such is the inexperience of the current England one-day side, particularly when all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is absent, that Anderson is now regarded as a key figure among the seamers.

He will step out for his 73rd one-day international in the fourth match of the NatWest Series on Thursday having had that seniority recognised by bowling coach Allan Donald, who has appointed him as the official leader of the bowlers.

“The way AD put it was to get me to captain the bowlers,” explained Anderson. “It gives me some extra responsibility but I really enjoy it.

“I’m not trying to say I’m the most experienced bowler in the world but I’ve got a bit more experience than the other guys at one-day level, so I help them out if I can and I’ve enjoyed trying to lead from the front.”

Indeed, after Anderson and Flintoff, there is a notable lack of experience with Stuart Broad and Ravi Bopara boasting just 12 appearances apiece.

It has not stopped Anderson teaming up with Leicestershire fast bowler Broad intelligently in a new-ball attack which has successfully restricted India’s formidable opening pair of Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly in two of the three matches.

Allan Donald has appointed Anderson as his lieutenant

“I think it’s a pretty good partnership,” said Anderson. “With his height and bounce and my swing it works well.

“One thing AD is trying to get us to do is be really aggressive and myself and Stuart have tried to do that up front, try to be aggressive and show a lot of intent and get the innings off to a good start, which I think we’ve done in all three games.”

He added: “When you’re playing well you enjoy it more anyway, but when a team’s playing well there’s just a buzz around the team and the enjoyment comes along with that.

“I think it helps to keep a relaxed atmosphere as well. We’re not getting too worked up.

“After the Bristol game we didn’t get too bothered about losing. We were obviously disappointed but we bounced straight back and I think that enjoyment factor played a big part in that.”

Perhaps the biggest factor in Anderson’s revival, however, has been the new attitude towards county cricket from coach Peter Moores, which has enabled him to get enough overs under his belt to find a good rhythm before the start of this series.

Stuart Broad has combined well with his new-ball partner

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Moores has encouraged players to go back to county cricket if they are named 12th man, a tactic employed less by his predecessor, Duncan Fletcher.

It was a major bonus for Anderson, who was included in the squad for all four npower Tests against West Indies only to return to Lancashire when not required.

“I spent a bit of time with Lancashire at the start of the season which helped me get into a bit of rhythm and I bowled quite a few overs,” added Anderson, speaking at the NatWest Speedstars roadshow in central Manchester.

“I was travelling around a bit with the squad as well, which was good to be involved in that, and once I’ve got in my rhythm just seems to be getting better and better. I feel confident in the way I’m bowling at the moment.

“It’s a better system where you start the game with your county and just go the night before the Test and stay for the morning just as cover.

“I know it’s a bit more travelling for the player but I think it’s a better way of doing it. It’s given me a chance to play for Lancashire and get those overs under my belt.”