Harmison backs 'improved than before' Anderson to 'tear' into Oz at Ashes

Former England fast bowler Steve Harmison has warned Australia that England bowler James Anderson is set to tear into them during the Ashes as he has much improved than before.

Once dubbed as Grevious Bodily Harmison, the former cricketer, who was part of the 2002-03 Ashes tour in which Anderson made his England debut, said that he would not swap the bowler for anyone else in the world having seen his role as attack spearhead pass over to the Lancashire swing ace in 2005, The Sun reports.

Predicting that Sir Ian Botham's record of 383 as England's all-time Test wicket taker will soon be a thing of the past, Harmison further said that he always knew that Anderson, currently on 307 scalps, is going to be special.

Stating that Anderson was too skillful when he was young and was capable of doing anything, Harmison said that the spinner is more experienced now and is aware of when to bowl the out-swinger or the in-swinger.

Although Harmison picked out Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel as the best bowlers for South Africa, he however, added that he would personally choose Anderson as he can move the ball through the air on any surface.

According to Harmison, Anderson will retain his top position in the world for some time to come, adding that he looks hungry and fit as before and can set down the marker for the current generation like Alastair Cook did with the bat.

Meanwhile, Harmison believed that seizing the important moments rather than dominating the statistics will win the Ashes for either team, citing the example of the 2005 Test, with Andrew Flintoff's legendary over, his own slower ball to Michael Clarke and the last wicket of Michael Kasprowicz, as proof of the fine margins in cricket.

Stating that the players' worth would be proved when they would play under pressure, Harmison further said that when people talk about Australia's build-up being poor, they are forgetting how the game works.

Although he still believed that the series would be won 3-1 by England, Harmison however, said that if the Australians managed to stay in the game even in the do-or-die moments, one of their players could make their presence felt and turn the tide for his team.