Jimmy Anderson seams back to his best as the England pace ace swings the ball, takes wickets and gives batsman words of wisdom
JIMMY ANDERSON was back in the old routine — swinging the ball, taking wickets and giving a batsman words of wisdom.
After a sublime summer in which he took 37 Test wickets, Anderson’s bowling on England’s first day in the field in Australia would have brought joy and relief to captain Joe Root.
He shook off the cobwebs in his first spell and then took two wickets in each of his subsequent bursts.
And there were even a few verbals for young Western Australian batsman Josh Philippe, 20.
That’s a back-handed compliment in Jimmy’s world because it meant Philippe was playing well as he made 88 in this drawn match.
Philippe said: “Jimmy wasn’t too impressed early doors but I laughed it off because it was a great experience out there.
"I couldn’t tell you what he said, to be honest, it was all in a friendly nature.”
Anderson, who took 4-27 from 13 overs, was streets ahead of England’s other bowlers.
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Chris Woakes did not take a wicket and Stuart Broad had to wait until ten minutes before close of play for his solitary victim.
All-rounder Craig Overton, a strong contender to bat at No 9 in the First Test in Brisbane on November 23, took two wickets but conceded more than five runs an over.
Leg-spinner Mason Crane collected two wickets with a mixture of some fine deliveries and the occasional wayward offering.
Anderson, England’s all-time leading bowler with 506 Test wickets, added: “It was pretty obvious in the first session that we were rusty.
“I thought I got better as the day went on and most of the bowlers would probably say the same.”
