England fast bowling legend James Anderson has hinted he could be forced into retirement if flat, lifeless wickets remain the norm in this Ashes series.
Ground staff have reportedly been ordered to prepare flat wickets to allow the English batters to play the Bazball style that would otherwise be impossible against an Australian attack that boasts both swing and seam bowlers.
But doing so also weakens England's own attack – Anderson took just 1-109 from 38 overs in the first Test, and barely looked threatening at any stage during the match.
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In his column for the UK's Daily Telegraph, Anderson said the Edgbaston pitch was "kryptonite" for his bowling style, and declared he's "done" if the pitches don't improve.
"That pitch was like kryptonite for me. There was not much swing, no reverse swing, no seam movement, no bounce and no pace," he wrote.
"I've tried over the years to hone my skills so I can bowl in any conditions but everything I tried made no difference. I felt like I was fighting an uphill battle.
"There was a bit of rustiness but I gave it everything I could. Having played for a long time, I realise you can't take wickets every game. Sometimes it is not your week. It felt like that for me.
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"It's a long series and hopefully I can contribute at some point, but if all the pitches are like that I'm done in the Ashes series."
Anderson will be 41 next month, and sits third on the all-time wicket taking list with 686. Only Shane Warne (708) and Muttiah Muralitharan (800) have more.
Anderson did not play in England's one-off Test against Ireland earlier this month due to a groin injury, which some UK press have suggested he may still be feeling the effects of.
In the same column, Anderson also defended Ollie Robinson for his infamous first innings spray at Usman Khawaja.
"Ollie did nothing wrong when he had his moment with Khawaja," he wrote.
"In fact, I stood at mid-off for most of the game and didn't hear anything said by either team that was unacceptable.
"I don't want Ollie to change. I like him getting fired up. He bowls better when he is in that mood. From personal experience, I know I bowl better when I am a bit more aggressive and intense.
"I stepped in to chat to Ollie when he and Usman were having an exchange of views in the second innings. It was gentle stuff, they were just talking cricket."
The second Test at Lord's gets underway on Wednesday night (AEST).
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