Battle of Hastings hots up
drove loosely at Stokes on 49 and edged to Joe Root.
Anderson had lost his rag in pursuit of the India captain early in the final session.
England’s leading wicket-taker thought he had his man lbw when he was on 16.
However, Dharmasena kept his finger in his pocket and his judgment was vindicated with umpire’s call on impact just going in his favour.
Fast bowlers tend not to take such reverses well and at the end of the over Anderson let him know what he thought, a volley which led to skipper Root being called in and spoken to by the umpire.
“It was probably a couple of words and that’s about it,” said Buttler. “Virat is one of the best players in the world, if not the best at the minute, and Jimmy is England greatest ever bowler.
“As a match-up for players and fans alike it’s awesome to watch. The two of them are immensely competitive and have had a great duel all the way through the series.”
He added: “But I think Jimmy has been particularly unlucky.”
Match referee Andy Pycroft, though, is unlikely to take the same line.
India may well have sat in their dressing room shell-shocked but if they needed reasons, Buttler’s brilliance on his 28th birthday, another furious wag of England’s tail and a tired display from their own bowlers would be a fair place to start. IAN WATSON insists Salford still need one more win to secure Super League safety after continuing their unbeaten Qualifiers campaign despite two red cards.
Prop Luke Burgess was sent off for a 53rd-minute high tackle and was joined by star half-back Jackson Hastings with just 13 seconds left after a swinging arm on former Red Devil Gareth O’Brien.
But establishing a 20-0 half-time lead gave Watson’s side enough of a cushion to withstand Toronto’s second-half comeback and make it four wins from four in this competition.
Watson said: “Ten points is the goal. History has proven over the last three years that 10 points gets you in third position, and the Million Pound Game is teams on eight and six points.
“One thing we want to make sure we do is get another win, and now we’re focusing on Leeds.”
Aussie half-back Hastings was brilliant in the first half but now faces a ban for his late tackle, as clubs including Wigan circle for next season.
Watson (above) added: “We’re talking to him and we know clubs will be interested. Did Wigan want him before now? Did other teams want him? Not really.
“We nailed our colours to the mast, and Jackson has been as good as his word and up front and honest with us. Hopefully that will stand us in good stead and we get a jump on him.”
Hastings and outstanding duo Ed Chamberlain and Rob Lui all touched down before half-time as the ambitious Wolfpack flattered to deceive even when Salford had Lama Tasi sin-binned.
But three tries in 11 minutes from Adam Sidlow, Matty Russell and Andy Ackers closed the gap to six points, before Toronto’s Chase Stanley was shown a yellow card and Ryan Lannon capitalised.
Wolfpack coach Paul Rowley said: “We responded well and got ourselves back in the game but that’s not good enough against Super League opposition and Salford were worthy winners.
“We’ll dust ourselves down and that’s part of being in the competition we’re in.”
THE QUALIFIERS
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