- Old foes are preparing for first Test in Perth on Thursday
One of the greatest English villains to ever torment Australia has delivered a shock prediction for The Ashes series starting on November 21 in Perth – but it comes with a twist.
James Anderson finished his career as one of England’s greatest fast bowlers, but in Australia he became the Ashes villain fans loved to hate.
He took 117 Ashes wickets, often leading England’s attack with swing and relentless accuracy that frustrated Australian batters.
His finest moments included the 2010–11 breakthrough tour and the 2013 Trent Bridge Test, where he bowled England to a 14-run win.
His fiery rivalry with Michael Clarke, including Clarke’s infamous ‘get ready for a broken f***ing arm’ threat, cemented his place as the series antagonist for Aussie crowds.
Across two decades of battles, Anderson became the bowler Australian fans most wanted silenced and the one England relied on most in the Ashes.
Jimmy Anderson, pictured right with the Ashes urn, was a long-time tormenter of the Aussies
Anderson believes the current Australian side has weaknesses, but will still prevail in the 2025/26 series
Aussie skipper Pat Cummins, pictured with the urn after the 2023 series, will miss at least the first Test in Perth
Despite his position as one of the greatest English Ashes villains of all time, though, Anderson has delivered a shock prediction for the upcoming series – an Australian victory.
‘I just think that Australia have been so strong, and so consistent in their team selection over the last 10 years, that this probably is their weakest team [in the last 15 years],’ Anderson said.
‘I think they probably just edge out England in terms of being favourites, but I don’t think there’s much in it. It’s a tough one to call, so I’d say Australia, just.’
Despite the prediction, Anderson still believes there are cracks in the Australian team that can be exposed.
Compared to England’s previous visits, Australia are a potentially unsettled line-up, with little clarity about their batting order, the prospect of a debutant opener in Jake Weatherald, and the absence of their captain Pat Cummins for at least the first Test.
‘There are doubts around who’s going to bat in the top three, Pat Cummins missing is huge, for at least the first Test,’ Anderson added.
‘I just think that there are question marks there, definitely, and there are cracks that England could potentially expose.
‘There’s still a lot of quality in their batting lineup, there’s still a lot of quality with their bowlers as well, even if Cummins is missing.
‘The likes of Steve Smith, [Usman] Khawaja, Travis Head, there’s a lot of quality there.’
