Refreshed Anderson must hit the ground running on England return

England have failed to marry meaningful performances in either discipline in the seven-match series to undermine their preparations ahead of the start of the World Cup next month.

In the opener in Melbourne, the batsmen combined to post 294, a record England score on Australian soil, only for the bowlers to concede a record chase.

In the subsequent matches in Hobart and Sydney it has been the batsmen who have shouldered the blame for defeat, after being bowled out for 184 and 214.

"We just need to play better," said Anderson ahead of his return to the team for tomorrow's must-win match in Adelaide.

Anderson has had a watching brief for the three games after he was allowed to return home to rest after the Ashes, when he was the only England seam bowler to play all five Tests.

After three weeks off, the 28-year-old returned to Australia at the weekend feeling refreshed ahead of a busy schedule culminating in the World Cup. "It was great to go home and see my family. It was also nice to get a break and rest the body and the mind," he said. The 28-year-old knows he must hit the ground running on his return to an injury-depleted attack when defeat would concede the series and bring a halt to England's run of six consecutive one-day series wins.

England Women required nine wickets on the final day of the one-off Test in Sydney to retain the Ashes. Australia closed the third day on 29-1, needing another 168 to win, after dismissing the tourists for 149 in their second innings.