Thursday 30 November 2017 20:15, UK
James Anderson says dismissing Australia captain Steve Smith before he can cause too much damage will be England's main priority in the second Ashes Test in Adelaide.
The day-night Test gets underway in the early hours of Saturday morning in the UK with Smith in good form after scoring an unbeaten 141 in the first innings of the hosts' 10-wicket wicket victory at the series opener in Brisbane.
That knock proved pivotal in turning the game in Australia's favour at the Gabba and although England succeeded in slowing Smith down - his 21st century for his country was his slowest in terms of deliveries faced at 261 - they were ultimately unable to dismiss him.
"He was the difference between the two teams. That first-innings lead would've been huge for us," said Anderson.
"So, getting him out here will be crucial. Hopefully more pace in the wicket might help us, but we've just got to be as relentless as we possibly can to someone like that.
"Obviously, the plans to him, I wouldn't say they didn't work, but we didn't get him out, so they worked to an extent.
"We dried his runs up and made him work really hard for his hundred but obviously we want to get him out."
Ben Stokes' continued absence from the England side after he was involved in an incident outside a Bristol nightclub, coupled with Jonny Bairstow's bizarre 'headbutt' greeting to Australia opener Cameron Bancroft in a Perth bar, has led to a midnight curfew being imposed on the team by ECB director of cricket Andrews Strauss.
But despite their off-field issues, Anderson insists they are focused on recovering from the opening Test defeat and retaining the Ashes.
"It is not like we are party animals, out till three every night," Anderson added.
"Our focus is showing what we can do with a cricket bat and ball in our hands."
The Bairstow-Bancroft incident only became common knowledge after comments made on-field were picked up by a stump microphone but Anderson is confident England will not be put off by any sledging.
"We're all going to get behind Jonny, who is an important player in our team," he said. "When someone is trying to get under my skin in all walks of life it makes me more determined to succeed.
"It is up to us individually and as a group to stick together and know that we are not here to roll over."
