‘ONE-DAY’ BAN FOR HASTINGS
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JIMMY ANDERSON will have his teammates from through the years to thank for helping him get to 600 Test wickets – if and when it happens.
But he could do with the 10 guys alongside him right now holding on to their chances on his final day of Test cricket this year, weather permitting.
The Lancashire legend should have made it to 600 by now but another drop, this time from Jos Buttler, meant he claimed just the solitary scalp of Abid Ali late on as Pakistan fought to keep England at bay to close day four on 100-2, 210 behind.
Rain and bad light robbed the hosts of 40 overs and there is more heading Southampton’s way.
Should Anderson get to 600 he will be able to look back on the missed chances here with more than the wry smile he offered when Buttler fluffed the latest.
When Shan Masood drove and edged one behind there could only one outcome.
But instead of
JACKSON HASTINGS only had to serve one day of a fortnight ban after breaking Covid-19 rules.
The Wigan half-back was hit with the suspension after being pictured breaching social-distancing regulations.
But because the ban was backdated to when the offence took place, he has only missed a day’s training.
In that time, Hastings (inset) has closing two reassuring gloves around the ball, in-form Buttler failed even to lay a hand on it and the chance went begging.
It was the fourth drop in 37 balls off Anderson’s bowling and unlike the evening before there wasn’t the same bad-light excuse. The ball did fly awkwardly in the air but this was a catch Buttler really should have taken. Anderson had every right to vent his frustrations. However, he dug deep and simply smiled the smile of someone who has seen catches go down off his bowling also played two Super League games against Wakefield and Leeds.
Losing one day’s training smacks of an almost pointless ban but the RFL is keen to use it as a message to other players.
Chief Regulatory Officer Karen Moorhouse said: “In the main the protocols have been observed. However we are in a every year since 2003. It was the second bit of misfortune of the day for England.
Ollie Pope was forced to leave the field having jarred the same left shoulder that he had surgery on in 2019.
He will have a scan to assess the extent of the damage.
Both Masood and Abid batted patiently knowing the weather could help their side out at some point and a heavy shower did just that before Stuart Broad trapped the former lbw for 18.
Anderson hadn’t taken a second-innings wicket all summer and throughout his first two spells it looked like that trend might continue, but he raised hopes of a fantastic finish when Abid was also given out lbw.
The rain had other ideas and the wait goes on for Jimmy. situation where breaches of the protocols by any individuals connected with the game could have serious repercussions for all.
“It is therefore important that appropriate sanctions reflecting the reasons for the regulations are imposed.
The ability to enforce a 14-day stand-down reflects this.” HULL KR chairman
Neil Hudgell is sensationally quitting, saying he does not feel able to “do justice to it any longer”. Hudgell will step down on December 1 raising fears about the club’s future.