Jimmy Anderson has produced another memorable performance at Lord’s but deflected the attention towards England’s “superhuman” captain Joe Root after he shouldered the batting burden once again in the second Test against India.
Anderson claimed the 31st five-wicket Test haul of his career as England dragged the tourists back from 3-276 at the start of play on Friday to 364 all out.
But the evergreen paceman was quick to turn the attention to Root who, in England’s reply, came to the wicket facing a hat-trick ball at 2-23 and began a rescue act, ending up unbeaten on 48 at stumps after guiding his side to 3-119.
“Every time he goes out there he just shows his class. He just looked class from ball one,” said Anderson, as Root eased past Graham Gooch (8,900) to sit second on England’s all-time run-scorer list, currently on 8,935.
(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
“When you see your captain go out and play like that first up on a hat-trick ball, it does have a really calming effect on the dressing room.
“Joe’s been amazing throughout his career and his stats in the last 12 months in particular, with everything we’ve been through – the pandemic and everything – it’s been super human.”
That description has been used about Anderson plenty of times over the years too. Unmatched as the most durable and most prolific seam bowler in Test history, he continues to lead his side through tight spots and thrives at the home of cricket.
Even at 39, he typically rejects any and all discussions around his longevity, but 18 years after his first five-for here, he gave a nod in that direction.
“The last few times I’ve been here you do think, ‘is this the last time I’m going to play here?’,” Anderson said.
“Hopefully it’s not my last time here or my last time on the honours board.
“It definitely is as special every time you turn up and play at this ground. To get seven (five-wicket hauls) here is just incredible really. I do love it here. It seems to bring out the best in me.”
La grandeur d'Athéna
Roar Rookie
I never understood why every comeback player finds us to write their come back story. What is unfolding is highly embarrassing and painful to watch. Bowling since lunch has been awkward.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Geez, is Root having a hell of a series or what! :shocked: :thumbup:
Micko
Roar Rookie
Well done with all the puns. :thumbup: :stoked: I honestly have thought who would've got in if hypothetically Gilly never existed. Would they actually have still gone for guys like Haddin and Wade?
Ian
Roar Rookie
Absolutely right Paul.Border against pace was one of the best I've seen.He kept leg side of the ball and kept his footwork to a minimum.There was none of this exaggerated back and across nonsense that has been the death of so many batsman against genuine pace.
Ian
Roar Rookie
That would be the same Malcom Knox who recently wrote an article in the SMH that bouncers should be banned in all forms of cricket.I assuming he got paid for writing it,I'm just not sure why.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Well, I’m not going to Wade in on that discussion, except to say we’ll Neville know how Peter’s performance would have been judged if Gilly Haddin come before. Perhaps the assessment would be less of a Paine than it currently is for Gilly’s successors if AG hadn’t been around in the first place. If you have a different view, do you Carey to share?
Micko
Roar Rookie
Well yes! Gilly was the reason they started having this bizarre obsession with “batsman-keepers” rather than accepting that Gilly was a once a century freak. We got the mediocre Haddin, then the woeful Wade, based purely on their ability to attack with the bat and make runs @ #7. Look how they treated Pete Nevill after his gutsy batting and solid keeping WEREN’T the reason for Australia’s woeful 3-0 loss in Sri Lanka! :angry:
Paul
Roar Guru
he was never going to earn the Kate Fitzpatrick accolade of " a batsman who could look elegant leaning on his bat", but I'm pretty sure he'd be happy with "ugly but very effective". :happy:
Jeff
Roar Rookie
If it wasn’t Gilly, it Haddin happened.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Haddin! :sick:
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I found a quote from Malcom Knox re Border; “all punch no grace”. :silly:
Paul
Roar Guru
It's funny you say that because I found AB to be very orthodox. His footwork was actually very good, especially when defending and his footwork against spinners was outstanding. When playing pace he kept it to a minimum and it might have looked ugly, but technically, it was very good. Or maybe I'm just a biased lefthander AB wannabe. :happy:
Jeff
Roar Rookie
AB was a most unorthodox batsman, to use the old vernacular. But he usually found a way to either grind things out, or to take control on the rare occasion he was afforded that luxury.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I was impressed with KL Rahul getting it done on day 1. He’s so often been a victim of his own lapses in concentration when getting a start. So, notwithstanding his solid effort on the first day, it was frustrating to see him get out so easily on ball 2 of day 2. Had done the hard yards, just didn’t set himself mentally for resumption the next day.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Them were the pre-pandemic days :thumbup:
Nudge
Roar Rookie
Was that at Adelaide? If so I was at the game but spent the whole day in the village green with 10,000 others who didn’t want to witness us get humiliated. Still a cracking day out the back I promise
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
And played the innings of the series in 2010-11 despite Cook topping the aggregates.
Nudge
Roar Rookie
KP changed the course of the match more than once that’s for sure. And he won them the series in his first ashes test
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
We certainly don't fear him as much as we feared kp.
Nudge
Roar Rookie
I reckon I remember that one. I think Haddin dropped him on 0 when England were 3 for 30 odd and he made us pay. Other than that though there isn’t much. Compare him to Smith who has changed the course of the match probably a dozen times in the ashes. The Aussies don’t fear Root but they do respect his ability