My battle against Virat Kohli this summer was my favourite as I got him out a few times: James Anderson

England pace bowling legend James Anderson has revealed that the battle that he had this year against Virat Kohli is the one that he relished the most. Anderson also added that he has had some good battles over the years with the Indian skipper.

The 39-year-old also stated that he dismissed Kohli on a few occasions and at the same time, the right-handed Indian batsman has also scored runs against him as well. Anderson also added that there is a sense of mutual respect between the two.

Anderson also said that both he and Kohli were having a go at each other on the field this year, but it all took place in a well-spirited way.

“This summer was probably my favourite contest with Virat. We’ve had a few good battles over the years, both in England and India, but this year was certainly my favourite. I got him out a few times but also he got some runs as well and we had a battle on the field where there was definitely a mutual respect there.

It was in a really nice manner if that makes sense. Obviously, we were going at each other, but it was in a well-spirited way. So I really enjoyed that,” said Anderson as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

We will look to dismiss Steve Smith early in The Ashes: James Anderson

James Anderson also added that Steve Smith is Australia’s best player and the England bowlers will be looking to dismiss the right-handed batsman as early as possible during The Ashes later this year.

“As a bowler you always look at the best player, and for me over the last three, four or five years, Steve Smith’s been Australia’s best player. He’s been the one they rely on for their volume of runs, obviously supported by guys around him like David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne recently. But he’s been their go-to in the last few years, so he’ll be the one that we will be keen to get out early,” added Anderson.

James Anderson also opined that at the age of 39, he might not play all 5 Test matches against Australia. Anderson concluded by stating that the heat in some places in the land of the kangaroos takes a lot out of the players.

“I will do exactly what I did in our summer. Hopefully I’ll be playing all five, but I’d be happy with three or four. You manage it as you go through the series. We’ve got a decent squad of bowlers, so we can rotate a little bit, as we have been for the last 18 months to two years.

The likelihood of playing all five at my age, to be honest at any age in Australia, is slim. It does take a lot out of you especially in the heat in some of the venues. So we just have to wait and see,” concluded the England cricketing legend.