Anderson: I may be losing some pace, but my Test knowhow will help me get the job done
JIMMY ANDERSON has laid out a plan of action for the rest of his career as England prepare for tomorrow’s crucial third Investec Test against Pakistan. After turning 34 on Saturday, England’s leading Test wickettaker — Anderson has 458 — insists he has the hunger to continue to climb the all-time list. But with his pace threatening to desert him, he admits he may have to rely on skills honed over almost 14 years at the highest level to sustain him in the years ahead. Anderson had match figures of four for 68 on his return from injury during the second Test at Old Trafford, despite being the slowest of England’s seamers. Yet with the series against Pakistan poised at 1-1, he is determined to use the wheel of time to his advantage. ‘I didn’t feel my speeds were where they could be in Manchester,’ he said. ‘I felt a bit like Matthew Hoggard at the end of his career — he slowed down a bit but his control was pretty good. ‘But with the skills I’ve got I can do a job, even if my speeds did drop. I think with experience you can stay one step ahead in your head. It is like an old defender in football who might not have the pace of a quick striker, but he’s two steps ahead of him upstairs.’ As Anderson prepares for his eighth Test at Edgbaston, local boy Chris Woakes — England’s man of the summer — is gearing up for his first. In fact, he has tasted Test cricket at his home ground before: in 2005, when Michael Vaughan’s side pulled off their famous tworun win over Australia, the 16-year-old Woakes was watching goggleeyed from the sidelines. ‘Everyone on the Warwickshire academy got the invite to come
and work that week as an extra pair of hands,’ he said. ‘I was on the covers, and was here when they took the last wicket. The crowd was phenomenal.’ Now Woakes, whose four Tests this summer have brought him a batting average of 55 and a bowling average of 13, is determined to leave his own mark. And it is hard to imagine anything giving Woakes greater pleasure than becoming the first Warwickshire player to score a Test century at Edgbaston. After making 58 as nightwatchman in Manchester, he believes he has it in him. ‘I should have batted on at Old Trafford,’ he said. ‘It was a bit of a soft dismissal. I believe I’m good enough to score Test hundreds, but it will be tricky batting at No 9. ‘I try to prepare as a batsman: I get in the nets and bat as though I’m No 6. I’ve scored first-class hundreds, so I know the temperament and concentration are there.’ Meanwhile, Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur has piled the pressure on James Vince and Gary Ballance as his side look to respond to their 330-run mauling at Old Trafford. Vince is yet to pass 42 in five Tests this summer, while Ballance has made 72 runs in three innings on his return to the side. ‘They know when they walk out to bat that they are playing for their Test places, so that provides another level of pressure,’ said Arthur. ‘We feel if we can get into them with the new ball we’ve got a real good chance. ‘Clearly, Cook and Root are the beacon of England batting at moment. We’ve had a look at those two again and analysed our plans. We’ve spent our time wisely and we’re ready for the third Test.’