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Jimmy Anderson is ‘the world’s most skilful bowler’, says Alastair Cook Jimmy Anderson is ‘the world’s most skilful bowler’, says Alastair Cook
(about 2 hours later)
Alastair Cook described Jimmy Anderson as “the most skilful bowler in the world” on the eve of the fifth Test against India at The Oval. England have a 2-1 series lead going into a match that may yet see their premier swing bowler take the seven wickets he needs to reach 383 and draw level with Ian Botham as England’s most prolific Test-wicket taker. Alastair Cook described Jimmy Anderson as “the most skilful bowler in the world” on the eve of the fifth Test against India at The Kia Oval. England have a 2-1 series lead going into a match that may yet see their premier swing bowler take the seven wickets he needs to reach 383 and draw level with Ian Botham as England’s most prolific Test-wicket taker.
Anderson will be further encouraged by the news Stuart Broad is fit, having recovered sufficiently from the facial injury sustained at Old Trafford. Broad will bat with a change of headgear at The Oval having switched to the Mazuri helmet that includes an extra protective grille. He will, though, bowl with nothing more than a sticking plaster on his nose, having found a protective mask too restrictive in practice Anderson will be further encouraged by the news Stuart Broad is fit, having recovered sufficiently from the facial injury sustained at Old Trafford. Broad will bat with a change of headgear at The Oval having switched to the Masuri helmet that includes an extra protective grille. He will, though, bowl with nothing more than a sticking plaster on his nose, having found a protective mask too restrictive in practice.
“It’s an amazing achievement,” Cook said of Anderson’s 376 Test wickets. “He is the most skilful bowler in the world. You saw his guts and determination last week, when he was bowling when he wasn’t very well. That pretty much tells me, tells everyone, what a bloke he is.“It’s an amazing achievement,” Cook said of Anderson’s 376 Test wickets. “He is the most skilful bowler in the world. You saw his guts and determination last week, when he was bowling when he wasn’t very well. That pretty much tells me, tells everyone, what a bloke he is.
“No disrespect to Dale Steyn, but the way Jimmy can swing the ball both ways. I don’t think Dale can do that quite as well as Jimmy although Dale has the added advantage of being able to bowl quicker.”“No disrespect to Dale Steyn, but the way Jimmy can swing the ball both ways. I don’t think Dale can do that quite as well as Jimmy although Dale has the added advantage of being able to bowl quicker.”
If this is perhaps a slightly flattering comparison – Steyn is an all-time, all-surface great, with more wickets (383) than Anderson in fewer matches (75/98) at a much lower average (22.65/29.86) – then Cook is understandably keen to lionise a bowler who has helped transform his fortunes as captain in the past two Tests.If this is perhaps a slightly flattering comparison – Steyn is an all-time, all-surface great, with more wickets (383) than Anderson in fewer matches (75/98) at a much lower average (22.65/29.86) – then Cook is understandably keen to lionise a bowler who has helped transform his fortunes as captain in the past two Tests.
There was also praise for Anderson from MS Dhoni, who has seen his prized top order traumatised by the moving ball this summer. “He has also got a fantastic attitude on the field,” the India captain said. “He is really someone who can take wickets at any point of the game, and that really gives the edge to England.”There was also praise for Anderson from MS Dhoni, who has seen his prized top order traumatised by the moving ball this summer. “He has also got a fantastic attitude on the field,” the India captain said. “He is really someone who can take wickets at any point of the game, and that really gives the edge to England.”
England are expected to name an unchanged team. For India Ishant Sharma may return after injury.England are expected to name an unchanged team. For India Ishant Sharma may return after injury.