Third Ashes Test: Australia v England
Venue: Perth Dates: 16-20 December Start time: 0230 GMT
Coverage: Listen live on Test Match Special on BBC 5 live sports extra, Radio 4 LW & online; highlights (UK only) and day's review on the TMS podcast; live text commentary on BBC Sport website; live on Sky Sports 1; highlights on ITV4

England paceman James Anderson says he feels fit and ready to lead the attack in the Perth Test despite flying home for the birth of his second child.

Anderson arrived back in Australia on Monday after his 20,000-mile round trip and is now focused on Thursday's Test.

"I've had a decent amount of sleep so I'm feeling pretty confident I'll be at my best on Thursday," he told BBC Radio 5 live. "I feel surprisingly fresh."

England lead the series 1-0 and will retain the Ashes with a win in Perth.

Anderson took six wickets in England's second Test victory in Adelaide before taking advantage of a gap between Tests to jet home for the birth of his daughter Ruby on Friday.

But the bowler was quick to allay fears that he might be exhausted by his globe-trotting mission.

"Everything's great," the 28-year-old added. "It was nice to get back in time for the birth and obviously a bit strange leaving after a couple of days but everything is good.

"I stayed on Australian time while I was in England which I think has worked well. I got back to Perth last night and got about nine hours sleep so I'm feeling pretty good."

Anderson, ranked three in the Test bowlers table, is relishing the prospect of bowling at Perth where the wicket is expected to have more pace in it that those at Brisbane and Adelaide.

But the Lancastrian is adamant that England must not fall into the trap of bowling too many short-pitched deliveries.

"We've had a lot of success in the last few games bowling nice lines and lengths so I think if we try to stray too far from that we could slip into something dangerous," he said.

606: DEBATE Anyone else out there approaching the next test with a feeling of trepidation? eieieioupwego

"We just need to keep doing the things we have been doing well with maybe one or two more bouncers."

Another danger is that England will allow their standards to slip if they give too much thought to the prize awaiting them if they can wrap up another victory.

In the 2009 Ashes, England went 1-0 up at Lord's, only for Australia to draw level with a comprehensive innings victory at Headingley.

"We do know another win will retain the Ashes but it's something we are trying not to focus too much on," said Anderson.

"We slipped into that trap in England last year before the Headingley game so it's great that we can draw on experiences like that and know we can just focus on what we are doing well and try to do it well in this game."

Anderson is looking forward to a reunion with Australia opener Phil Hughes, who was dropped after two Tests last summer, but has been recalled for Perth in place of the injured Simon Katich. "We've had a taste of him before," stated Anderson.

"We've had a taste of him before," stated Anderson. "We are pretty confident that we have some good plans to him and hopefully we can put them in place on Thursday."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version