Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SA INVITATION XI v ENGLAND JIM ’N TONIC
Anderson finally back fit and firing ..but depleted tourists hit by bug in stalemate
JAMES ANDERSON made his long-awaited return to the England attack but an illness sweeping the camp hampered the tourists in their opening warm-up match in South Africa.
Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad and Jack Leach were ruled out by a bug which has also affected the coaching staff.
With Ben Stokes’ late arrival following his BBC Sports Personality of the Year win and Mark Wood’s ongoing rehab programme, Joe Root’s men were left a depleted force in the field following their 309-4 declared. An under-strength England still managed to dismiss the Invitational XI for
289 in Benoni with Anderson taking 1-37 in his first match since aggravating a calf injury on day one of the first Ashes Test in August.
England’s record Test wickettaker turned in a rusty showing early on but was much improved after lunch and was rewarded by taking Kabelo Sekhukhune’s outside edge.
The 37-year-old looked in good enough order to make him a certain pick for the first Test against South Africa on Boxing Day barring any fresh setbacks.
The same cannot be said for Sam Curran and Chris Woakes, who may find themselves fighting for one place once pacemen Broad and Archer brighten up.
Curran knocked over both openers but it was Woakes (3-48) who was responsible for the most compelling spell of the match to boost his chances of playing at Centurion.
Woakes said: “It was a different role to what I’m used to in coming in and bowling a few bouncers. The wicket wasn’t really responding too much to length-balls so at lunchtime we felt we had to change it up a little bit and find different ways to get wickets.
“Thankfully the afternoon session was good for us, we tried a few different things and it’s always nice to pick up some wickets in the tour games.”
Woakes admitted the tactic was partially inspired by New Zealand’s Neil Wagner, who impressed with his reliance on the bumper in the Black Caps recent series win over England.
The Warwickshire allrounder added: “Trying to hit a length isn’t always the best option and looking at different opportunities to take wickets is important.
“We’ve seen the way New Zealand in particular go about their business. Neil Wagner in particular uses the middle of the pitch a lot and he’s gone pretty well with it. We have to think outside the box because the way you pick up wickets in England isn’t always the way you pick up wickets abroad.” Uncapped Lancashire leg-spinner Matt Parkinson, handed a key role by Leach’s illness, saw his hopes of seeing action against the Proteas plummet in this draw. He took two wickets but was milked for 112 in 20 unconvincing overs.
England’s final warm-up match, a three-day game against South Africa A at the same venue, begins tomorrow.