18 July 2023 , 17:00
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Ben Stokes reckons the evergreen James Anderson and Stuart Broad will help deliver an Ashes-levelling win this week after being dipped in the deep freeze.
Three quarters of the oldest England pace attack ever assembled, Anderson, Broad, and Chris Woakes, should be firing on all cylinders after three minutes at -70c in a cryotherapy chamber put ice in their veins, and on the tips of their hair.
It was a first ever visit to the facility in nearby Hale for the trio, plus the resting Ollie Robinson, and even though Anderson exited with twice as much grey hair as usual, much to his team-mates' amusement, the treatment gave them all a much needed regenerative boost for the must-win clash.
And for the 40-year-old Anderson, who is somehow still yet to get his name on the honours board at his home ground, revenge for the two defeats he has been a part of so far would clearly be best served ice cold.
"We are picking players for what they can do on their best day, and for Jimmy I could see that being 6-20," said Stokes. "I’ve got to say I’m amazed that he’s not done that here before, it would be nice to get his name up on the board. He should be an inspiration to up and coming bowlers about what you can achieve in a career if you look after yourself.
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"To still be doing what he's doing at 40 years old. And over the last six or seven years his stats have got better every year. He’s just an amazing performer. He's been an incredible gift to English cricket, as has Broady as well. I think the competition and the battle of actually playing cricket obviously brings just the best out of them.
"They both want to be the person in the crucial moments with the ball. I don't want to think about the day when we don't have them any more walking out, representing England, but they're going to be two big shoes to fill."
Anderson has had a bit of a longer break than the youngster Broad who, at 37 years old, is the only England seamer to have been picked for all four Tests. But it has been richly deserved with the wickets he has taken as well as the nuisance he has caused at every opportunity, especially following the Jonny Bairstow run out at Lord’s.
It was at Old Trafford three years ago when Broad picked up 10 wickets in the match against the West Indies in an empty covid affected ground that also included his 500th Test wicket.
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Now, just two away from his 600th scalp, there is little doubt that Broad will enjoy getting there even more if it comes as part of the greatest Ashes comeback with David Warner the landmark victim.
"Seeing the back of David Warner early in a Test match is always a very nice sight as a captain," added Stokes. "And we know how good Broady is to left handers. We said it would be tough for one bowler or for any bowler to play all five games, but Brody's just been in incredible form.
"He's been a phenomenal performer so far in the series and he’s the leading wicket taker so it was hard to look past that. With his new outswinger delivery to right handers, hopefully he can continue that form this week."