The 26-year-old Lancashire seamer first got a taste of the Ashes when he was called into England's squad during the 2002-3 tour for the one-day series and then stayed with the squad without featuring.

He was also called up for the final Test of the 2005 series only for England to prefer Paul Collingwood, and it was not until the dismal 2006-7 tour that Anderson played three unsuccessful Tests against Australia.

But since then he has developed into a key player in England's Ashes strategy and now cannot wait to take the field during next week's opening Test in Cardiff.

"I think we just want to get started really," admitted Anderson, whose five Australian wickets have cost 82.60. "The hype has been going on for so long now and we just want to get started.

"I hope it is my time. I'm concentrating on my job which is to swing the ball and take early wickets to make as many inroads as possible in their top six or seven - I'm not thinking about how many Ashes I have played."