RESCUE MISSION
Anderson’s quick double gives England a lifeline
THERE are only three certainties. Death, taxes, and James Anderson picking up wickets atTrent Bridge.
And here he was again, 18 years after claiming his first five-wicket haul on this ground, giving fans plenty to cheer with a wicket double to remember and helping to drag England back into the game.
India remain 58 runs adrift on 125-4 after a rain-shortened second day, but the sight of Anderson removing Virat Kohli first ball was all the drama you could wish to see.
Kohli was a 14-year-old dreaming of making it onto the international stage when Anderson was busy clean bowling the great Jacques Kallis back in 2003.
And he still knows how to get rid of the very best as he tempted Kohli into a forward push that took the edge first ball and landed safely in Jos Buttler’s gloves.
The ball before, Anderson had taken the edge of Cheteshwar Pujara’s bat to remove the Indian number three, and he would have had a third a little later on had Dom Sibley at second slip clung onto the edge offered by KL Rahul when he had made 52.
That would have taken Anderson one clear of Anil Kumble’s 619 Test wickets if it had been grabbed.
Third on the all-time wicket takers’ list will belong to Anderson on his own soon enough, most likely during this match, but for now he can bask in the knowledge that he has taken the early lead in his longrunning duel with Kohli after celebrating wildly.
“It’s such a big wicket,” said Anderson. “I probably used some muscles that I don’t often use there, didn’t I?
“To bowl the ball exactly where I wanted to, and for him to nick it...it was just emotion coming out at getting the team back in the game.
“It’s something that doesn’t happen often, getting Kohli out that early.”
Anderson was engulfed by his team-mates as he ran off with a big grin towards the Fox Road stand, because they knew just how much he had potentially rescued them.
And when Jonny Bairstow ran out vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane with a direct throw, India’s edginess was getting the better of them. They had lost 4-15 in 38 balls and were in danger of being blown away before bad light and then rain came to their rescue.
Although an alternative view might be that it saved England from the whirlwind that is Rishabh Pant, who gave Anderson the charge and looked in the mood to do some counter-attacking damage.
“We know how he is going to play,” added Anderson. “He’s a fantastic talent and we just have to hope that he nicks one.”