James Anderson wasn't fit enough to play in the first Ashes Test, claims Darren Gough

Australia avenged their disappointing World Cup exit against England as they crushed the same opposition in the opening Test match of this year's Ashes series on Monday. Inspired by a Steven Smith twin century and a strong bowling performance by Nathan Lyon, the Aussies condemned Joe Root & Co. to a 251-run loss at Edgbaston. 

Former England pacer Darren Gough was critical of three lions spearhead - James Anderson - who the former believed was unfit to feature in the Ashes opener. 

"I put the blame at Anderson’s door. He wasn’t fit. He wanted to play against Ireland because he is chasing 600 wickets. That pull is there and he’s not far away.

"He’s been an absolute great bowler and still is but he is getting older and is coming back from a calf strain," Gough told talkSPORT.

Gough, who played 58 Test matches for England and picked up 239 wickets in the process, further added that the lack of a fitness test between the Ireland Test and the Ashes was one of the reasons behind the humiliating loss in Southampton. 

"He was rushed back to try and play against Ireland and obviously wasn’t fit so they gave him another week. No fitness test in between has him playing. He goes from bowling a few balls in the net to an Ashes Test.

"The intensity with an Ashes Test means you lift your normal game by five or 10 per cent and it’s gone. That’s one of, if not the biggest reason we have lost this game," Gough added.