Anderson hails Stokes for instilling England spirit ‘I’ve never seen before’

Jimmy Anderson has now played Test cricket under eight England captains and six head coaches but says none compare with the current regime under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum by way of mentality.

After sitting out the third Test against New Zealand with a “puffy ankle”, Anderson is in contention to face India at Edgbaston on Friday for the completion of last summer’s Covid-affected series. Both sides are under new management and India sit 2-1 up, even if Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli’s successor as captain, is a doubt after testing positive for the virus last Sunday. Jasprit Bumrah could deputise.

The tourists meet an England team seemingly reborn under the leadership of Stokes and McCullum and fresh from chasing down targets of 277, 299 and 296 with minimal fuss for a 3-0 clean sweep over the Black Caps. Asked before training on Wednesday whether this new approach has felt unique in his 20-year career as an England Test cricketer, Anderson agreed.

“It does feel that way,” replied the 39-year-old. “I have never been in a dressing room before when we have chased 300 on a pitch that is turning and everyone has been so calm, believing we were going to chase them down. That, after 20 years of playing international cricket, I had never seen before.

“You always get a few jittery people but one to 11 and the staff included were just calm and believed. That belief can go such a long way especially with the young players we have got. Trying to develop their confidence and experience, that will do wonders for them.”

As well as Anderson, England are set to have Ben Foakes available after he missed the last three days of the Headingley win first with a back issue, then a positive Covid diagnosis. The Surrey wicketkeeper trained on