England captain Joe Root has heaped praise on experienced speedster James Anderson for his stunning spell on Day 5 in the first Test against England in Chennai, saying his match-winning spell has reminded him of Andrew Flintoff in the 2005 Ashes.
Anderson dismissed Indian batsmen Shubman Gill (50) and Ajinkya Rahane (0) in the space of three balls and then dismissed Rishabh Pant to finish with the brilliant figures of 3/17 in the second innings to play a key role in England’s massive 227-run win over Team India in the first Test on Tuesday (February 9).
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After England took 1-0 lead in the ongoing four-match Test series in India, Root said Anderson did the same as Flintoff on Tuesday, as the former all-rounder dismissed then Australian captain Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer in one over in the second Test to help England won the Edgbaston Test to level at 1-1 the Test series and eventually won the Ashes in 2005.
Root said in the post-match press conference on Tuesday in Chennai: “It reminded me a little bit of (Andrew) Flintoff in 2005 (Edgbaston Test) and the impact of that over to (Ricky) Ponting and (Justin) Langer slightly. In the context of this game, it was huge. When you see someone like Jimmy Anderson, naturally you expect that from him.”
The skipper also feels the 38-year-old Anderson looks fitter and more-skillful-than-ever now. He added, “He seems to get better all the time. The skill level keeps improving...his work rate is good as anyone I have ever seen. And his fitness level is the best he's ever been in his whole career.
It is a credit to English cricket. That's a great example to all England players. When you are under pressure and need something to happen when you got him in your armory it is a very comfortable position to be in.”
Hailing England for grabbing all the big moments in the first Test, Root said: “The likes of Ben Stokes coming on and taking the wicket of Virat Kohli...They are big-game players and they stand up and they do special things. It's a great example for the young guys around to go and see (and say) that I want to be the one doing that.
They are those big moments that you have to grasp. And if you want to win the series in these conditions against a side as good as India, these are the things that you have to get right.”
As the crowd will be allowed 50% for the second Test in Chennai starting January 13, Root said England will miss their traveling fans and their support against the Indian cricket team.
He signed off by saying, “Well, we certainly miss our fans, the traveling fans, and their support. Obviously, it's a big loss towards the end, to be able to enjoy a week, like this alongside the guys playing. It might be very different next week when there are a few people in the ground, and I'm sure that will improve the aesthetics of Test cricket even more.”
(With PTI Inputs)
