Jimmy Anderson says the misery inflicted on him by the Australian batsman in the second Test 10 days ago motivated him to bounce back and chalk up his best Ashes bowling figures.
Anderson struggled terribly at Lord’s, finishing wicketless for the first time in 57 Tests as the tourists romped to a 405-run victory.
But he was back to brilliant best at Edgbaston on Wednesday, finishing with 6-47 as Australia were bowled out for 136 in overcast conditions after Michael Clarke won the toss and elected to bat.
At the close of play the home side were 3-133 and well in control but Anderson admitted he would also have chosen to bat on a day that saw 13 wickets fall.
“We were hoping to win and bat. It looked a good pitch and we weren’t expecting the seam movement we got,” Anderson said.
“The conditions we had throughout the day, the floodlights were on and that definitely played into our hands.”
After working with the England bowling coach, former West Indies quick Otis Gibson, Anderson said he felt confident of a return to form after clocking up match figures of 0-137 on a batting friendly deck at Lord’s.
That display had led to speculation he may be past his best but England’s record wicket-take said it merely inspired him to prove the critics wrong.
“I knew I could have bowled better than at Lord’s and it was going away and putting that right,” he said.
“My job is to set the tone with the new ball and I didn’t adjust to the pitch at Lord’s so it was nice to put the ball in the right area more often.
“After taking no wickets the confidence takes a hit. After a week off and the work I’d done I felt coming in to this game, my confidence was high.”
Anderson also laughed off an on-field spat with old foe Clarke which led to umpire Aleem Dar stepping in to calm the pair down.
The flashpoint was short-lived with the visiting captain bowled by the rejuvenated Steve Finn for 10 shortly after.
“It was nothing really,” he said.
“We just had a chat. He just nicked one through the slips. I might have called him a lucky devil and he was in agreement.”
