Anderson ‘unlucky’ but duel with Kohli spices up England series
The highlight of every major cricket series is the clash between the finest players on either side. Although Virat Kohli has piled on the runs and England spearhead James Anderson is yet to claim his wicket, their duel has been the most engrossing in the ongoing Test series.
Anderson dismissed Kohli five times in 2014 when he scored 134 runs at an average of 13.4, but the world No 1 Test batsman has come good with a vengeance this time, scoring centuries and three half-centuries, aggregating 593 runs at an average of 65.88.
The battle was on in earnest in the first Test at Edgbaston, where Anderson kept steaming in bowling just outside off-stump much like the metronomic Australian great Glenn McGrath. However, Kohli was dropped on 21 and 51 as he cashed in with 149.
Although India are 1-3 down in the series and in trouble at The Oval, Kohli went on to score 51 in the second innings at Birmingham before playing match-winning knocks of 97 and 103 at Trent Bridge and 58 in the second innings at Southampton.
On Saturday at The Oval, the contest was again on. Anderson finally thought he had his man with a close leg before appeal. He had almost got even Kohli, setting him up with two away swingers before bringing one back in to hit his pads. Umpire Kumar Dharmasena turned it down.
A review showed it as umpire’s call. At the end of the over, Anderson seemed to ask Dharmasena how he could not give it out. The umpire cautioned Anderson and spoke to skipper Joe Root, with Kohli also getting involved by exchanging a few words.
In the end, Kohli fell to Ben Stokes, nicking to Root at second slip. “It is a massive wicket,” Jos Buttler told reporters on Saturday. “He’s one of the best players in the world, and he’s had an outstanding series. Any time you create a chance, or umpire’s call early on, it can go either way there, they are huge moments for us against a guy of that quality.
The Anderson-Kohli contest has had the fans on the edge of their seats. “Virat’s one of the best players in the world, if not the best at the minute, and Jimmy’s England’s greatest-ever bowler. As a match-up for fans and players alike, it’s awesome to watch. The two of them are immensely competitive and have a great duel all through the series.
“I think Jimmy has been particularly unlucky. He’s created some great chances, and been very close. It’s been great to watch.”
So, how come Anderson has not managed to get Kohli this time? “If we could catch, he’d have a few.”
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