England’s bowling attack, led by veteran pacer James Anderson, brought the hosts back in the contest of the ongoing Lord’s Test against India on Friday (August 13).
Having posted 276/3 at the close of play on Day 1, Team India were expected to dominate the game on the second day but they got bowled out for 364 in the first innings.
The visitors lost 7 wickets for 88 runs on Day 2 while Anderson returned with the figures of 5 for 62 – his 31st five-wicket haul in the longest format and seventh fifer at the iconic venue.
After the second day’s play, the 39-year-old addressed the media and said that the Home of Cricket brings the best out of him.
“There’s something that is extra bit special about Lord’s, certainly for me. It just seemed to bring the best out of me. The last few times I’ve come here, you kind of think, well, this was my last time playing here so you want it to be a good performance," quoted Anderson.
“The place I made my debut. The place I got my first five-wicket haul. And to get seven here is incredible. I don’t know how I did it. Hopefully, it’s not my last time here, and hopefully, it’s not my last time on the honours board,” he added.
James Anderson also praised the England skipper Joe Root, who remained unbeaten on 48 as the home team ended the second day with 119/3 on the board.
In the process, Root also surpassed former England captain Graham Gooch (8,900 Test runs) as the country’s second highest Test scorer and now trails only Alastair Cook.
“Absolutely, he’s been amazing. Throughout his career, and in this last 12 months in particular with everything that we’ve been through with the pandemic and pressure on this team, to be able to captain the side, and perform the way he has is nothing more than superhuman," the fast bowler said.
“I couldn’t speak highly enough of him, and every time he goes out, he just shows the class and today was exactly that."
England got off to a terrible start as they lost opener Dom Sibley (11) and comeback man Haseeb Hameed (0) in successive balls to be 23/2 inside 15 overs before Root and Rory Burns (49) rebuilt their innings with an 85-run stand.
“He looked class from ball one, got through the hat-trick ball which can sort of put you under pressure but he played it quite comfortably," Anderson said.
“Maybe everyone else in the dressing room when you see a captain go out play that that first ball and hat-trick ball, it does seem to have a really calming effect on the dressing room. So, I’m sure he’s much more confident."
England are trailing the tourists by 245 runs heading into the third day with Root and Jonny Bairstow (6*) at the crease.
“We are in a decent position. I know we still have a lot of hard work to do but pretty pleased with the way we are," Anderson concluded.
(With PTI inputs)
