Sam Curran happy to pick Anderson's brains to help take wickets for England
Talk of Jimmy Anderson’s impending retirement has proved to be greatly exaggerated and Sam Curran, still shocked by the suggestion of it, intends to pick the brains of England’s recordbreaking attack leader for a good while yet.
Anderson’s two wickets on day one in Southampton were a telling response to the subdued performance at Old Trafford last week that left the 38-yearold feeling the need to publicly deny whispers of calling it a day, so too an average speed of 84.5mph that is his highest in the first two innings of a Test since 2014.
And Anderson’s influence went beyond his own returns in the second Test against Pakistan, helping the recalled Curran with his tactics and fields as the all-rounder removed the set Abid Ali for 60 after the first rain delay with a ball that bounced a touch and took the edge.
Asked about Anderson, who now has 592 Test wickets, Curran replied: “He bowled really well. I was pretty shocked with all the stuff that was going on about him. Obviously he’s a world-class bowler – anyone who doubts him isn’t very sensible.
“He proved again how world class he is and approaching 600 is really exciting for all of us. I’m just enjoying having him around and learning from him. He was out there helping me through my spells. Picking his brains is great for me.”
Curran’s return for his second appearance this summer owes much to the additional batting he offers in the absence of Ben Stokes, as well the soupy conditions at the Ageas Bowl that appear to favour the swing bowlers.
But it was still a surprise that England, so public about their planning towards the 2021-22 Ashes tour, have gone into the Test without either of their supposedly out-and-out quicks in Mark Wood and Jofra Archer – not least with both having played on this ground against West Indies in the summer’s curtain-raiser.
Wood was passed fit, despite reporting some recent injury niggles, while Archer has been given the time to rest and is understood to be in line to take the new ball come the third Test, when either Anderson or Stuart Broad will be due to put their feet up.
Curran outlined the challenge of trying to prepare for international cricket during this unique season. England’s unused players are unable to leave the biosecure bubble and rejoin their counties for game time, with Jack Leach, Ben Foakes and James Bracey having featured in just the one warm-up match in June.
“It’s a tricky situation when you don’t play,” Curran said. “You don’t get to go and perform for your county. You obviously don’t get selected and you’re back to your hotel room. Things like that are very different. But we’ve got such a great squad at the minute, we’re gelling together really nicely and the boys are lifting the guys that are not playing.
“It’s strange times but it’s going to be the new normal for a while and I do feel for the guys who haven’t been playing.
“Today I tried to be nice and patient, hold a line and luckily [Abid] did nick that ball. But we spoke about bowling as a group, sticking together as a unit and everyone chipped in with wickets. It’s just great to be back and contributing.”