England v Pakistan: Day 5 - Third Test #RaiseTheBat Series
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: James Anderson (C) of England walks off with Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes after reaching 600 Test Match Wickets at close of play on Day Five of the 3rd #RaiseTheBat Test Match between England and Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl on August 25, 2020 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images for ECB)
England v Pakistan: Day 5 - Third Test #RaiseTheBat Series

England test cricket coach Brendon McCullum has confirmed his selection of James Anderson and Stuart Broad in his side to face Australia in June next year for the Ashes.

The pair struggled for form on the Australian pitches last summer, failing to be selected for multiple matches as they battled Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson and Mark Wood for a place in Chris Silverwood's XI.

Since McCullum’s appointment in May, the duo's form has taken a turn for the better, taking 56 wickets between them on home soil and winning six of seven tests.

The pair will be 41 and 37 during the next ashes, but McCullum has still confirmed they’ll be in his plans for what could be their last hurrah.

“They’ll be here,” McCullum told reporters.

“They’re both smiling. How good’s that? Those guys are phenomenal cricketers. They could finish any time they wanted and they’d still be considered greats of the game.

“What they’re doing is continuing to build on the legacy they’re going to leave for the next generation - the time they’re giving other people in the dressing room is phenomenal”.

Despite handling them well back home, the Australian side will surely be weary of facing the two greatest English Wicket takers with the Dukes ball back in hand.

McCullum also heaped praise on the new English captain Ben Stokes who’s also found some of his best cricket since returning home.

“With Stokesy, I thought he’d be good as a leader, but I didn’t realise he’d be quite as good as what he is," the New Zealander said of the fiery redhead.

“His own game is phenomenal, his leadership qualities are amazing and he runs through brick walls for the side, as we’ve seen with some of his bowling spells.

“He’s not just been able to deliver a message but allowed the message to go across the entire group, and do it comfortably in a short period of time.”

Stokes too will pose another threat to Australian chances of retaining the Ashes and his success so far in captaincy looks like it will make for a far more competitive affair this time around.