Legendary England pacer James Anderson produced another masterful performance for his team in the second Test against India. The 41-year-old once again proved that age is just a number for him as he picked up five wickets combined in both innings for England on a placid surface.
Anderson troubled the Indian batters with his swinging deliveries as he used his wobble seam quite well to take the crucial wickets.
He is playing as the lone pacer for England in the second Test and he proved his coach and captain’s decision right by claiming the scalps of Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal early on Day 3. Meanwhile, he went on to take three wickets in the first innings.
Anderson said that he was disappointed after not contributing much to the team during the Ashes but that motivated him to work on his fitness.
“As a player you want to contribute to the team and this summer I didn’t do that (in the Ashes), so I felt disappointed from that point of view,” Anderson said in the post-match press conference.
“What the time away did do, it gave me a chance to think about what I can improve on. It also gave me time to work on my fitness, knowing coming to India, it’s a hard place to come as a seamer,” he added.
The 41-year-old emphasised that he was more pleased with bowling 35 overs than taking the wickets.
“I’m obviously delighted with the five wickets but I think I’m more pleased with the fact I got through 35 overs in three days. I felt strong when I was doing it as well. All that work I was doing in the last few months has really paid off and that’s probably the most satisfying thing for me,” said Anderson.
He also thought the inexperienced England spin attack had delivered under pressure.
“Day one was definitely the best day to bat on that wicket, so to get them six down we were happy with. To finish them off the next morning was great. Today was even better than that,” said Anderson referring to India’s 253 all out in the second essay.
The legendary paceman further heaped praise on the young spin troika of England – Shoaib Bashir, Tom Hartley and Rehan Ahmed.
“The way the three young spinners bowled was brilliant. They kept coming and coming, and didn’t give up at any stage, even when Shubman was playing really well. They built that partnership.
“Stokesy would manoeuvre the field around but they delivered their skill brilliantly. The way they stuck at it, the calmness they showed was outstanding for young lads,” he added.
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