Anderson contradicts Pietersen, attributes his success to Moores

SYDNEY - England’s pace spearhead James Anderson Saturday contradicted Kevin Pietersen on Peter Moores and said the sacked coach helped him become a better bowler.

The World No.4 Test fast bowler was all praise for Moores who is now coaching Lancashire.

“It was Moores, back in early 2008, who wanted me to lead the attack and who gave me more responsibility. We were in New Zealand, Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison were dropped and me and Stuart (Broad) came in. He put a lot of faith in us and gave us a lot of responsibility and I think that boosted my confidence,” Anderson was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

Earlier, Pietersen had accused Moores of holding back the team’s progress and said that England would not have retained the Ashes in Australia if Moores was still in charge.

Anderson, who has played a crucial role in England’s Ashes success, attributed his improvement to former and present bowling coaches.

“Allan Donald, Ottis Gibson and the most influential of all, David Saker. Sakes has been brilliant to me. He has given me a lot of confidence, he has helped me work on my skills out here. When it is not swinging he has helped me develop wicket-taking balls. I always knew I had a lot more ability and skill than I showed in my early career. I have improved a hell of a lot,” he said.