Sleep top of agenda for Anderson after Ashes victory

LONDON - Leading Ashes wicket taker and main architect of England’s victory, James Anderson, just slept after helping his team retain the urn.

“The first thing I did was to sleep - not exactly rock and roll. It has been hectic and has taken its toll. I’ve just had half-an-hour’s sleep after the presentations and initial celebrations because I was so tired,” said Anderson, the only fast bowler to play in all five Tests.

Anderson has been given two weeks off to rest up and spend some time with his family, meaning he will miss the two Twenty20 matches and the first three ODIs against Australia.

“It has just been a long seven weeks and, with me going home and coming back, it has been a really emotional time for me but a great way to finish it off,” The Daily Express quoted him, as saying.

“It was amazing to get back home for the birth of my daughter. But to come back and celebrate with all the other families here, with mine not, it has been quite tough. I am just delighted the way it has worked out and I can’t wait to get back to England now. I’d like to think I’ve earned a bit of time off,” Anderson said

Anderson also said his performance should finally have quashed the theory that he could be effective only in English conditions.

“There were no doubts in my mind that I could perform out here. There might have been doubts elsewhere, but for the past couple of years I’ve been bowling as well as ever. And on this tour I have bowled the best I ever have. I’m delighted with how this trip has gone for me and the team. The sky is the limit now,” he said.

“The biggest thing that I have improved on in the last few years is the length that I hit. I bowl the right length much more consistently now. You can have all the skills in the world but if you don’t hit a good length then you’re going to go for runs. I can swing the ball and reverse swing it and now I can hit the right length,” Anderson said. (ANI)