ENGLAND IN SHAPE FOR TEST SUCCESS
JAMES ANDERSON expressed surprise with the way the Lord’s pitch is shaping up in the first Test against South Africa but was pleased with England’s position at the end of day three.
Alastair Cook established a commanding position for the home side after they bowled South Africa out for 361.
Cook (59no) and Keaton Jennings both had fortune in an opening stand of 80 on the way to 119 for one at stumps, giving England an overall lead of 216 despite the earlier resistance of Quinton de Kock (51) and Vernon Philander (52).
When asked how happy he was with England’s status in the match, fast bowler Anderson said: ‘Really pleased. As the last couple of days have shown, the pitch is wearing quite quickly.
‘A few balls are keeping low and good amounts of spin as well, so I think we’re really pleased to be in the position we are but we know we’ve still got a lot of hard work in the next two days.’
He added: ‘Considering how green it was I thought it might seam around on the first morning and it did a little bit but I wouldn’t have expected it to do this and be as dry as it is and show as much turn as it has.’
The Lancashire bowler also praised new England Test captain Joe Root. ‘He’s doing well. I thought he was brilliant on the field,’ said Anderson. He kept cool, kept calm, even when they built partnerships.
‘I thought he rotated the bowlers really well and in particular yesterday when it was a really hot day he could have let bowlers bowl really long spells but he chopped and changed and got the best out of the bowling attack. We were really happy to keep them below 400.
‘He’s trying to put his own stamp on it. He asked a bit when he needed to but generally he’s his own man.’
Meanwhile, South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada was said to be ‘heartbroken’ after being banned for the second Test following an incident which saw him swear at England’s Ben Stokes on Thursday.