Tiger’s resurgence a Major threat
JIMMY ANDERSON has been backed by England coach Trevor Bayliss to carry on terrorising international batsmen until he is 40.
Anderson turned 36 at the end of last month but shows no signs of slowing down and hanging up his bowling boots.
The leader of England’s attack was outstanding during the crushing innings defeat of India in the second Test, taking match figures of 9-43 and becoming the first seam bowler to reach 100 Test wickets on a single ground.
Anderson, with 553 scalps, now needs just 11 more to overtake Australian great Glenn McGrath and become the most prolific seam bowler in Test history.
Closer
With England next heading to Trent Bridge, a ground where Anderson has an outstanding record, that mark seems certain to fall during the final three matches of this series.
Bayliss said: “He’s not just good when the conditions suit him, but in these conditions he’s the best in the world.
“It’s a test for any batsman in the world to try to face him in these conditions.”
Bayliss admits he thought his biggest challenge when taking on the England job in 2015 would be replacing Anderson as the Test team’s spearhead.
He added: “When a player gets closer to the end of his career than the start, there’s always that thought process and looking for who might be that guy that takes over.”
Next summer’s home Ashes has long been thought of as the natural point when Anderson would retire.
However, Bayliss thinks he can carry on well beyond that.
He added: “As long as he keeps his body fit, there’s no reason why he can’t go on for three or four years.
“He keeps surprising everyone. Hopefully SIR NICK FALDO says Tiger Woods will win another Major after the American’s thrilling run at the USPGA.
The former world No.1 shot a closing 64 – his lowest-ever final round in a Major – to finish second behind champion Brooks Koepka on Sunday.
As Woods nailed eight birdies in front of a raucous final-day crowd at Bellerive, it was just like the old days.
And Faldo believes Woods will add his 15th Major title after four back surgeries and 10 years since his last triumph at the 2008 US Open.
“I didn’t think he had a hope in hell of winning another Major,” said the triple Open champion.
“And now you have to say he does. You have to take off your hat and applaud his efforts.
“His determination to get back and all his efforts is incredible. He now knows that continues for a few years yet. A lot of other bowlers do start to drop off mid-30s or so. It’s only the very, very best that are able to keep it going. I think he’s showing that he is the very, very best.”
Bayliss also believes Lord’s could be a turning point in the career for man-ofthe-match Chris Woakes, who took four wickets and hit a maiden Test century.
He added: “There’s no reason why it can’t. Lord’s would have to be his favourite ground, and the challenge for
from NEIL McLEMAN that he can win again. This is the greatest comeback in golf.
“If he wins again, it would be the greatest comeback in sport.”
Woods recorded his first top-five Major finish since the 2013 Masters.
His four-round total of 266 was three shots better than his previous best at the 2000 Open at St Andrews.
The next three Majors are at Augusta in April, Bethpage Black for the first May USPGA and the US Open at Pebble Beach in June – venues where Woods has won before.
But Koepka has now claimed three of the last six Majors he has played in – a him is being able to do that away from home, as it is for a lot of the boys.
“At the moment, we are playing at home and we look forward to some more success.”
England have named an unchanged squad for Saturday’s third Test at Trent Bridge.
It means there is no place for Ben Stokes, whose trial for affray is expected to end this week, although he could be added if he is found not guilty. record comparable to Woods in his pomp.
The back-to-back US Open champion has the same number of Majors as Jordan Spieth and just one fewer than Rory McIlroy.
But the 28-year-old from Florida carries a chip on both his chiselled shoulders for a perceived lack of respect and recognition.
After his third round, the Adonis-like body builder told how he went to a public gym this week with his friend Dustin Johnson and no-one knew him.
“I use it as motivation,” said the new world No.2.
“You can’t hide my name when you’re on the top of the leaderboard.”