Ashes 2015: James Anderson found perfect length at Edgbaston, says Bumble
Recalled Steven Finn earns praise from Sky Cricket experts
Thursday 30 July 2015 09:28, UK
James Anderson exploited the Edgbaston pitch to the max as he tore through Australia on day one of the third Investec Ashes Test, says David Lloyd.
England seamer Anderson went wicketless in the second Test at Lord’s but pocketed figures of 6-47 – his best in Ashes cricket – as the home side skittled the Baggy Greens for 136 in 36.4 overs in Birmingham.
“There was no movement for Anderson at Lord’s and nothing in the air so he had a quiet game,” Lloyd told Sky Sports. “But with his 400-plus Test match wickets you know that if there is anything in a pitch he will find it.
“He assessed the situation with the grass and bowled a full length – you may get driven occasionally but that is where you examine batsmen.
"He was on his game.”
Shane Warne also praised Anderson – who has now taken 30 wickets an average of 24.36 in his seven Tests at Edgbaston – as he dismissed David Warner, Adam Voges, Mitch Marsh, Peter Nevill, Mitchell Johnson and last man Josh Hazlewood.
However, the former Australia leg-spinner also noted the contribution of Steve Finn, who, after replacing ankle-injury victim Mark Wood in the England line-up, proceeded to remove Steve Smith and Michael Clarke in his first Test appearance in two years.
Finn was deemed “un-selectable” and sent home from England’s Ashes whitewash down under in 2013-14 but Warne thinks a sturdier approach to the crease helped him to send two of Australia’s key players packing.
“You can try things like moving your fingers wider apart [on the ball] but you still have to get the length right – Jimmy did that beautifully and showed all his cleverness and skill,” said Warne.
“He was well backed up by Finn, who looks to me like he has changed his angle towards the batsman a little bit - he is running straight to the target, a lot more upright, and isn’t falling away.
"This is not the 90-odd mile an hour Steve Finn but he is so tall so will get bounce and disturb batsmen."
Warne added: “I don’t think the pitch is a raging green seamer, though, and a lot of Australia being bowled out for 130-odd was down to poor shots – chasing at some wide ones – and poor leaves.”
England reached stumps on 133-3, a deficit of just three runs, with Yorkshire colleagues Joe Root (30no) and Jonny Bairstow (1no) at the crease following the exits of Adam Lyth (10), Alastair Cook (34) and Ian Bell (53).
Coverage of the third Ashes Test from Edgbaston continues on Sky Sports Ashes HD. You can also watch the third Test with a NOW TV Sports Day Pass. Plus, our Ashes Events Centre - the best of Sky Cricket's analysis at your fingertips - is available on our iPad app.
