With age, James Anderson is only getting better. The most successful fast bowler in Test history ripped through India’s top order and set the tone for England to take complete control of the third test after Day 1 at Headingley.
Anderson’s masterclass was fully on display in an awe-inspiring spell of 8-5-6-3 with the new ball as England bowled India out for 78 after Virat Kohli opted to bat in the first Test on Wednesday.
“As I get older, I feel like I have to work that little bit harder in the gym. I feel like I bowl less in the nets, and try to save it for when it matters in the middle,” Anderson said after the first day’s play.
“The biggest test in Test cricket is mentally getting yourself up for bowling big spells and playing in big games. It’s about keeping yourself switch on through games and switch off when you are not bowling — that’s something I’ve always had,” he added.
The conditions — a bright sky with some clouds dotted around — weren’t obviously in favor of a bowling team but it felt like that the way Anderson ran through the top order with clever and skillful bowling.
Off the fifth ball of the day, Anderson followed up a couple of inswingers with a full-length ball that seamed away, enticing Rahul to go on the drive. Buttler took the nick and Headingley was rocking in its first test match in two years.
Even more so when Pujara defended at an outswinger by Anderson on the first ball of the fifth over and got an edge behind.
Anderson most enjoyed removing Kohli. The Indian captain attempted a straight drive off a full delivery from Anderson that straightened off a wobbled seam and got the slightest of nicks. Anderson screamed with joy and ran straight to Root to celebrate.
Just a week ago during the Lord’s Test, Anderson, having grabbed a five-for in the first innings, was over-bowled in the second as the Indian tail frustrated the hosts with its remarkable resilience and invaluable runs.
“Walking off the pitch during the second Test at Lord’s, pretty much everything hurt, but that gives so much satisfaction knowing that I have put a shift in for the team.”
Asked about his problematic right shoulder, he said: “It still hurts. You just find a way of putting up with it. it’s just part and parcel of the job.”
