If James Anderson is in the groove, then Australia will be in trouble, warns Glenn McGrath

England are fresh off a brilliant outing at the recently concluded ICC World Cup 2019 where they were crowned as World Champions for the very first time in the tournament's history. They will look to back that up with a victory in the upcoming Ashes series against arch-rivals Australia. 

The English side will look to leading pacer James Anderson for some much-needed inspiration as they gear up to face Tim Paine & Co. Anderson turns 37 on Tuesday and is still the ICC's second ranked fast bowler in Test cricket with 575 wickets. 

Former Australia great, Glenn McGrath, warned his compatriots that Anderson will be the key to England's chances in this year's Ashes outing on English soil. 

"To be 37-plus, and to have played 148 Test matches, it's absolutely incredible. To think that he's put his body through that much pain and stress, and everything that goes into being a fast bowler, and he's still going out there and going the business.

"When that ball's swinging, in English conditions with the Dukes ball, there's no-one better. So yeah, if Australia can get on top of Jimmy, that's going to be a big decider in this Test series. But if Jimmy comes out, bowls well and knocks the Australians over, it's going to be another tough series for them," McGrath was quoted as saying to ESPNCricinfo. 

The former Australia pacer was at his very best when he spearheaded Australia's 5-0 Ashes win in his farewell series in 2006-07. McGrath had a lot of positive things to say about the Aussie bowling attack which boasts the likes of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and the in-form James Pattinson as well. 

"It's going to be an amazing series. I think this Australian bowling attack is looking as good as it's been for a long time. To have James Pattinson back and what he offers … he's been bowling incredibly well, but it's just that attitude and 'white-line fever', I guess you'd call it. As soon as he crosses the line, he's very dangerous.

"To have that wealth of fast bowlers, that's tough for the selectors, and it's going to be interesting to see which way they go for that first Test match. But it's a good thing to have," McGrath added.