Harry Gurney believes Jimmy Anderson can prove his doubters wrong in the fourth Ashes Test.

Anderson, England's all-time leading wicket-taker, will return to the hosts' line-up with his side 2-1 down in the series with two Tests to play.

The 40-year-old struggled in the first two matches and subsequently sat out the third, resulting in some discussion that his legendary international career could be coming to a close.

But playing on his home ground of Old Trafford — and bowling from an end named in his honour — his former team-mate believes that he can still have a major say in the series.

Gurney exclusively told LiveScore: "How many times over the years have the media started talking about Jimmy and Broady [Stuart Broad] being on their way out?

"That's pro sport, particularly at their age. But usually they respond by going, bang, five-fer.

"That's the sort of character Jimmy is and you wouldn't bet against him doing the same thing on his home ground.

"He is still one of the most skilful bowlers in the world and I'm sure he's still hungry for it."

No further changes

Some eyebrows were raised when England named just one change — Anderson for Ollie Robinson — to the side that won the Third Test.

Wicket-keeper Ben Foakes was touted to replace Jonny Bairstow with the gloves, while Moeen Ali has appeared an unnatural fit at No3 in the batting order.

But Gurney backed the decision to resist making tweaks.

He said: "I get the impression that Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes are not big on wholesale changes.

"I think that's good. Walking out onto the pitch feeling like your place is under threat is never a great place to be psychologically. There's enough pressure as it is.

"It's good management to take that pressure off and it's going to lead to results. I'm sure the boys in the dressing room are feeling pretty relaxed."

Stick to the plan

To date, the drama has largely been a product of England's Bazball style that encourages attacking, bold cricket — which critics say has seen them sacrifice a much better position in the series.

But 12-cap England international Gurney says that the hosts must stick to their guns, however, with the aggressive approach their best chance of winning the series.

Gurney, 36, said: "The analogy I use is that if somebody offered you 500-1 on Manchester City to win the Premier League, you'd snap their hand off. 

"Even if they didn't and you lost your money, it didn't make it a bad bet.

"Early declarations and big shots are occasionally going to backfire but I think over the course of their year in charge, many of the bold decisions have come off.

"I love the way they're going about it — and by doing it, they give themselves a chance of winning Tests that might otherwise have been drawn, which they need to do in the next couple of weeks.

"The momentum is with us after Headingley. If we can go and win at Old Trafford then we're one Test away."

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