Don't worry about the Jimmy Anderson End, don't worry about Old Trafford, this is the Ashes: Nasser Hussain

England are alive and kicking in the Ashes after registering their first win of the series at Headingley. While the home side have reignited their hopes of reclaiming the Ashes for the first time since 2017/18 series, former England skipper Nasser Hussain suggested the hosts be ruthless with their selection for the upcoming Tests.

The home side rested veteran pacer James Anderson and youngster Josh Tongue for the Headingley Test, roping in Mark Wood and Chris Woakes. Both the incoming bowlers played a major role in England's first victory of the series, giving birth to a selection dilemma for the fourth Test in Manchester. 

However, former England skipper Nasser Hussain has suggested the Three Lions forgo 'sentiments' and pick horses for courses for the remaining matches. Anderson, who is in line to return for the fourth Test in his hometown, struggled in the first two matches of the series. 

"It's not a time for sentimentality or for resting and looking after people. I think Mark Butcher said it on commentary that these are all cup finals. You don't up to the next game thinking, 'Ok, we'll get Stuart right for The Oval'. Why do you want Stuart bowling at The Oval if you've lost the Ashes? Mark Wood has bowled so many deliveries when the Ashes are lost, they're wasted deliveries.

You rock up to Old Trafford, sit down with each of your bowlers. Who is your fittest bowlers? Who's ready to go at Old Trafford? Who's best for those conditions? You don't have any emotion. [If] Jimmy Anderson's not ready and he's not bowling well enough, don't worry about the Jimmy Anderson End, don't worry about Old Trafford, this is the Ashes," Hussain responded when asked about Anderson's involvement in the fourth Test on Sky Sports.

You pick your best side and when you go to The Oval, you do that all over again: Hussain

While it would be an emotional moment for Anderson, potentially playing his last Test match on his home ground, Hussain feels that the team needs to pick their best eleven against a formidable Aussie side. 

"You pick your bowlers to win that one game. Take emotion out of it, take how many they've played – they've all had a nine or ten-day break. You pick your best side and when you go to The Oval, if it's two-all, you do that all over again," he added.