Cricket - Swann backs Anderson to lead Ashes Assault

Graeme Swann has no doubt England will win a fourth successive Ashes series, as long as James Anderson and his fellow seamers perform as they did in Australia in 2010-11.

On that occasion, England ended their long wait for Ashes success Down Under with a 3-1 victory. Anderson was central to that win, taking 24 wickets.

The Lancashire bowler has gone from strength to strength since with a number of stand-out performances, most notably his 10-wicket haul in the first Test of the last series between the sides.

Fans of cricket betting would have been delighted, then, to see Anderson fully fit and refreshed as he boarded the plane to Australia. He has enjoyed a two-month break since the final Test at the Oval.

Swann expects the five-match series to be a close affair; one which he believes could be decided by England's quicks. 

"If guys like Jimmy Anderson bowl like they did last time around, we will win," said the off-spinner. 

"We don't want to get ahead of ourselves but if we win, it will be very special. We have a chance to make it four in a row.

"If we play as we know we can, I see no reason why we can't win, but I think it will be tight."

Swann took 26 wickets in spin-friendly conditions as England beat Australia 3-0 on home soil this summer. He is not anticipating the same kind of pitches in the return series.

"I don't think it will suit me. It certainly didn't when I bowled there last time. But I just go out there with a big smile on my face and try to enjoy every minute," added Swann, who has taken a total of 248 wickets in 57 Tests.

The first Test between Australia and England begins in Brisbane on November 21, with the cricket betting odds predicting a tight encounter
between the two rivals.