James Anderson: Nick Knight says fit-again seamer will worry England's World Cup rivals
Five-wicket Finn has much more to offer, says Matt Prior
Tuesday 20 January 2015 10:57, UK
James Anderson’s return to action could give England an added aura heading into the World Cup, says Nick Knight.
Anderson took 4-18 in his first ODI since September as England thumped India by nine wickets at The Gabba on Tuesday.
The 32-year-old made an immediate impression in Brisbane, dismissing Shikhar Dhawan with a cracker in the third over, and Knight says the Lancashire seamer’s display will give England’s World Cup opponents a scare.
“We expect a lot of Anderson but it won’t have been easy for him sat on the sidelines over the last few months,” said the Sky Sports pundit.
“So to bowl as he did first up, with discipline, speed and control, it was almost like he hasn’t been away.
“England need a little aura heading into the World Cup and Anderson can promote that and make teams think: ‘He could get us three down quickly’.”
Nuggets
Steven Finn outdid Anderson wicket-wise, however, claiming career-best ODI figures of 5-33, a year after being deemed “unselectable” by England management.
Former England wicketkeeper Matt Prior was encouraged by Finn’s form and says the lofty paceman now looks ready for battle.
“I know Finn focuses a lot on his technique and action and he has obviously had the problem of knocking the bails off with his knee,” said Prior.
“But the key for him is to forget the nuggets of advice he has been given by other people and focus on what he does well.
“You could see as he was taking wickets that he was getting into the battle and saying: ‘This is the job I do’, so he is only going to grow from this.”
Anderson and Finn’s spells helped England bowl India out for 153 and then it was down to Ian Bell (88not out) and James Taylor (56no) to steer Eoin Morgan’s men home by nine wickets with 135 balls to spare.
Of Bell, Prior said: “He is a class act.
“I have been very privileged to see him in the middle and the nets and he has skill in abundance and excellent timing.
“The luxury he has at the moment is that he has the naturally attacking Moeen at the other end which gives him a chance to sit in, play his natural game and not do anything daft.”
See if England can win again when they tackle Australia in their third Tri-Series match, live on Sky Sports 2 from 3am on Friday.
