JAMES Anderson says England are out to protect their hard-earned world number one status and to make sure they do not become “one-hit wonders”. The third Test gets under way in Dubai today and after two unexpected defeats against Pakistan, Andrew Strauss’ tourists are in grave danger of suffering a 3-0 series whitewash.
Should that happen, a 3-0 series win for South Africa in New Zealand next month, might be enough to see England fall from their lofty perch with indecent haste.
They are well aware, of course, of what is potentially at stake at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and Anderson spelled out England’s determination to remain at the top of the Test rankings, saying: “We want to stay there as long as we possibly can, and that’s why we need to win this game.”
The fast bowler added of the number one spot England claimed for the first time in their history last summer: “It’s been our goal for a number of years. We don’t want to just be one-hit wonders, get there, have six months of lapping up everyone, saying how good you are – and then disappearing.
As well as avoiding the embarrassment of a whitewash, England need to win – or at least avoid a third successive defeat – to rebuild confidence, with tours of Sri Lanka and India also on the schedule this year, that they can after all do themselves justice in Asia.
There is also the prospect of hosting South Africa in three Tests next summer, something England still hope to do as table-toppers rather than second in line.
“That’s another thing driving us forward to win that game, because we want to be in a really good position when South Africa come to England in the summer,” said Anderson.
“When we became number one we wanted to set new goals – and as a team, we’ve chatted often about wanting to become the best England team there ever has been.
“We’ve not got off to a great start doing that. But the beauty of this team is we have got strong characters in the dressing-room, guys that can face up to the pressure we’re under at the minute in this series.”