England's record wicket-taker, Jimmy Anderson, has expressed his clear frustration at comments made by captain Ben Stokes during the recent Ashes tour of Australia, stating he was "annoyed" by the praise for mere effort.
Ashes Defeat and Post-Mortem
The much-anticipated series ended in a comprehensive 4-1 victory for Australia, with the hosts securing an unassailable 3-0 lead after just 11 days of cricket following a win in Adelaide. England managed a solitary victory in Melbourne – their first Test win in Australia for 15 years – but were soundly beaten in the final Test in Sydney.
The tour was marred by questionable preparation, inconsistent performances, and off-field controversies, which placed head coach Brendon McCullum's position under increasing scrutiny. The 44-year-old New Zealander confirmed after the final Test that he wished to continue, though stressed he would not be "ripping up the script completely."
Anderson's 'Roy Keane Moment'
Speaking on the Tailenders podcast, Anderson dissected the tour. While noting some positives from a depleted bowling attack missing Jofra Archer and Mark Wood for large parts, he took particular issue with Stokes' post-match remarks. After the third Test, Stokes had applauded the spirit and determination of his bowlers, specifically mentioning Josh Tongue and Brydon Carse for "running in consistently."
"That actually annoyed me a bit when I saw Stokes come out and say that," Anderson admitted. "I had a Roy Keane moment. I was like, 'It's your job!'... it is! If you're not willing to run in all day for your team then don't bother, you're in the wrong sport."
Setting the Standard: Mitchell Starc
Anderson pointed to Australia's Mitchell Starc, the player of the series, as the benchmark for England's bowlers to follow. He highlighted Starc's remarkable consistency and stamina, noting he was bowling at 144km/h on the fifth day of the final Test, matching his speeds from the series opener.
"That is what you expect from all your bowlers. That's the standard," Anderson stated emphatically. "It always annoys me, 'Can't fault your efforts'... well, the effort shouldn't be a thing. The effort should just be in you."
His sentiments were echoed by former England wicketkeeper Matt Prior, who underlined that maximum effort is a "non-negotiable" at international level, not something for which players should receive special praise.
The fallout from the Ashes defeat continues, with debates over leadership, preparation, and the fundamental standards required to compete with the world's best teams.
