Edgbaston track was like my kryptonite, I'm done in the Ashes if all pitches are like that: Anderson

Expressing his displeasure over the flat pitch in the Ashes opener, veteran England seamer James Anderson says hes “done” if similar tracks are produced for the reminder of the series.

Ahead of the series, England skipper Ben Stokes said England wanted fast flat pitches to help execute their attacking style of play.

However, Anderson said the benign Edgbaston track was “like kryptonite for me”.

“If all the pitches are like that Im done in the Ashes series. That pitch was like kryptonite for me. There was not much swing, no reverse swing, no seam movement, no bounce and no pace.” “Ive tried over the years to hone my skills so I can bowl in any conditions but everything I tried made no difference. I felt like I was fighting an uphill battle,” Anderson wrote in his column for The Telegraph.

The 40-year old Anderson, the worlds most successful pacer, managed to take just one wicket in the first Test as English lost the match by two-wickets.

“Its a long series and hopefully I can contribute at some point, but if all the pitches are like that Im done in the Ashes series.” Anderson and Stuart Broad have been pivotal for England, snaring wickets event on flat pitches.

Anderson conceded he didnt meet his own expectation while also revealing why he wasnt handed the second new ball late on the final day.

“I know I wasnt on top of my game this week. It was not my best performance. I know I have more to offer and contribute to the team.I want to make up for it at Lords and all I can do is turn up on Sunday and prepare to play.

“I didnt take the new ball in the first innings or late on the final day. I had a chat with Ben Stokes about how I felt. We agreed it was the type of pitch the taller bowlers were getting more out of. I was completely on board with that.” Anderson also defended teammate Ollie Robinson, who was involved in a fiery exchange with Australia opener Usman Khawaja. The pacer has copped a lot of criticism for his expletive-laden sendoff to Khawaja.

“Ollie did nothing wrong when he had his moment with Khawaja. In fact, I stood at mid-off for most of the game and didnt hear anything said by either team that was unacceptable,” Anderson wrote.

“I dont want Ollie to change. I like him getting fired up. He bowls better when he is in that mood. From personal experience, I know I bowl better when I am a bit more aggressive and intense.

“It has revved up a few former Australia cricketers who have had a bit to say in the media. Thats OK. Im sure I will be doing that as an ex-player. “You have to keep your name in the papers and keep getting a job. It is to be expected. More and more people will come out of the woodwork with that kind of stuff as the series goes on.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Federal staff and is auto-published from a syndicated feed.)