England fears Anderson burn-out over heavy workload ahead of winter Ashes

England bowling star James Anderson is reportedly facing a danger of being burnt out due to the hectic schedule of international cricket by the time Alastair Cook's men head to Australia for the return leg of the Ashes this winter.

According to the Mirror, it is no wonder that Anderson is pressurised given his vast workload, under which he had bowled 120 overs in the last 12 months more than Australian spearhead Peter Siddle, and had also bowled double the number of overs by Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson since July 2012.

The report further said world's No.1 fast bowler and South African Dale Steyn also lags well behind the 505.1 overs that Anderson has bowled since the two countries first met in their three Test series last summer.

Along with his workload before Lord's, Anderson also led the pace attack during England's first Ashes Test victory, in which he bowled over 55 overs in high temperatures at Trent Bridge, more than any other pace bowler on either side, and is continuing to do so at Lord's.

Although these heroics were typical of the kind of contribution that Anderson has made since emerging as the spearhead of England's attack, the report said that fatigue might be catching up with Anderson, which is evident in a picture tweeted by his teammate Kevin Pietersen, which shows him sleeping in the dressing room.

Unlike many Australian players like Siddle and Starc who had the luxury of getting rested due to a controversial rotation policy, Anderson was not rested in Test cricket, but the report added that he was given time off in the New Year for England's one-day tour of India.

Even though Anderson has stayed fit almost continuously since forcing his way back into the England side in 2008 unlike Australia's injury prone bowling attack, the report mentioned that England must hope that he does not run out of steam as his workload is unlikely to be reduced anytime soon.

England has three more Ashes Tests remaining this summer, along with a one-day and Twenty20 series, followed by five more Ashes Tests Down Under, the report added.