JIMMY’S GOT NO HOPE
CRICKET: 3rd TEST Windies warn they will be party-poopers
WEST INDIES are ready to spoil Jimmy Anderson’s Lord’s party and prove that last week’s second Test victory was no flash in the pan.
Windies coach Stuart Law watched with pride as batsman Shai Hope made an historic century in each innings at Headingley to set up a series-levelling five-wicket win.
It was a shock result, given England had won the first Test by an innings and 177 runs and then set West Indies 322 to win.
Paceman Anderson needs three more wickets for England when the third Test starts at Lord’s tomorrow to become only the fifth bowler to have claimed 500 Test victims.
But Aussie Law has warned that won’t be easy.
He said: “A lot of people have not given us the credit, there are some who doubted their ability to cope at this level.
Belief
“Well, I hope those doubts are now well and truly put to bed and they can start flourishing.”
Law revealed that a conversation with Hope on the final morning showed his youngsters had real belief.
He said: “I said, ‘Look, the plan is we’ll bat to tea, see where we are and if we’ve got wickets, we’ll work out if we are going to have a go or not’.
“He looked at me and shook his head and shrugged his shoulders – and I said, ‘Okay, what’s your plan?’ and he said, ‘We’re going to win’.
“That’s God’s honest truth and he went out there and won the game.
“He’s a guy with a lot of talent and Headingley showcased it, but I think the fact he wasn’t over ® the top in his celebrations means he is hungry and driven. He doesn’t want to stop where he’s at now – he wants to keep going. He’s pretty good now but he has got the potential to go great.”
Anderson is playing down his bid to join the ‘500 Club’.
He said: “I’m trying not to think about it. I am a bit of a believer in fate, so if it’s meant to be, then it will happen, but as long as we win I am not too fussed.”
England will host Australia in five ODIs and a T20 match next summer, in between the Test series against Pakistan and India. 6 9 7 8