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Anderson relishing Ashes opportunity
James Anderson is relishing his chance to finally make his mark on the Ashes after waiting nearly eight years to be given the opportunity to play a leading role against Australia.
The 26-year-old Lancashire seamer first got a taste of the Ashes when he was called into England's squad during the 2002-3 tour for the one-day series and then stayed with the squad without featuring.
He was also called up for the final Test of the 2005 series only for England to prefer Paul Collingwood, and it was not until the dismal 2006-7 tour that Anderson played three unsuccessful Tests against Australia.
But since then he has developed into a key player in England's Ashes strategy and now cannot wait to take the field during next week's opening Test in Cardiff.
"I think we just want to get started really," admitted Anderson, whose five Australian wickets have cost 82.60. "The hype has been going on for so long now and we just want to get started. I hope it is my time. "
Anderson warmed up for next week's challenge by claiming five for 34 yesterday to help dismiss Warwickshire for a lowly 102 in England's only practice match before the start of the series.
Andrew Flintoff's two for 16 during that bowling performance will also have encouraged England's selectors while Monty Panesar emerged from a difficult start to the 2009 summer to grab three for 10.
England will resume the final day at Edgbaston later today 373 runs ahead on 185 for two in their second innings with Ravi Bopara hoping to follow Anderson's example by claiming a timely century after finishing unbeaten on 88 overnight.
Brett Lee is hoping a dinner date with bowling legend Glenn McGrath can inspire Australia to Ashes glory this summer.
Australia's bowlers, including Lee, squad took time out to pick McGrath's brain when he was in Worcester earlier this week - the venue for the current four-day game with England Lions.
Lee is now the senior statesman of the attack at the age of 31, but wants the advice given by McGrath, who took 563 Test wickets, to be heeded.
Lee, who took five wickets in a deadly seven-over spell against the Lions, said: "I had a really good chat to Glenn the other night. He offered his advice.
"He was floating through this town (Worcester) so we bled him for as much information as we could get.
"The boys were like sponges around him."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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