Jimmy Anderson believes Joe Root will head into the Ashes with something to prove Down Under.
“A lot has been made about Joe Root in the build up to the Ashes, that he’s not achieved a century in Australia,” he told William Hill.
“He averages below 40 in Australia, so I feel like he’s got a point to prove.
‘When you’ve got a player of that quality who wants to prove a point, more often than not, they’ll do something pretty special. So, I’m hopeful that he’ll show people what he can do.”
Looking ahead to the series opener, Anderson said: “Perth is famously a quick and bouncy wicket, which will lend itself to England’s bowlers.
“I don’t know whether they’ll play both Jofra Archer and Mark Wood in the same team, but it could be a real spectacle if they do.
“The real challenge is for the batters. It is a different type of bounce that you don’t get in England, so it’s going to take a little bit of adjustment.
“Hopefully they’ve got enough time to practice in the nets and get used to it, so they’ll know what to expect when that first Test comes around.”