Former England cricket team captain Nasser Hussain has supported veteran quick pacer player James Anderson despite the criticism, saying the 40-year-old would still make the team's top-playing XI for the Ashes in progress in 2023.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain has backed James Anderson for a strong comeback to red ball cricket. Notably, the veteran pacer has lacked consistency in the ongoing Ashes 2023 streak and appeared de-motivated as his future was once again on the agenda, especially when Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson have all done well in the ongoing streak.

Anderson has been heavily criticized for his poor performance in the ongoing five-game Test series against Australia. The veteran pacesetter hasn't been at his best in the series and has failed to impress in the three games he's been a part of.

"If I were to pick England's best eleven for the game against Australia, he would still be there. Yes, Anderson's wickets are 32 runs apiece there, well above his career mark of 26 - but four months ago he was the best bowler in the world and while it's perhaps the oldest cliché, class endures," Hussain wrote in his Daily Mail column.

“Only the individual knows when is the right time to retire and whether they are physically and mentally ready. You can only go to the fountain so many times, get up, put on your bowling boots and leave so many times. That point will come for Anderson, but I don't see from his body language that he's going empty-handed," he added.

Notably, Anderson has represented England in 182 Test matches and collected 689 wickets. He was great under Ben Stokes' guidance but has suffered badly in the Ashes and there is a chance the cricketer will miss the fifth Test at Kennington Oval. However, Hussain believes that shouldn't be the case and it would be unfair not to be included in England's plan for the future.

“He just underperforms a bit. If a tall guy is a little below average, it would be very unfair - even wrong - to leave him out. "Great cricketers just make a little bit more in line with their hard work," added Hussain.