Bayliss backs Anderson to bowl on for a few more years yet

AFP,  LONDON: England's all-time leading Test wicket-taker James Anderson may be 36, but coach Trevor Bayliss believes he's still got several years of international cricket left in him.

Swing bowler Anderson made the most of helpful conditions with a match haul of nine for 43 as England overwhelmed India by an innings and 159 runs in the second Test at Lord's on Sunday.

In the process, he became the first bowler to take 100 Test wickets at Lord's and took his career tally to 553 -- just 10 shy of Australia great Glenn McGrath's record of 563 for the most taken by any pace bowler in Test cricket.

Anderson is also currently top of the International Cricket Council's Test bowling rankings.

“I don't think there's any age -- he keeps surprising everyone,” said Bayliss.

“As long as he keeps his body fit there's no reason why he can't go on for three or four years,” he added of Anderson, who has been managing a shoulder injury.

“A lot of other bowlers do start to drop off mid-30s or so. It's only the very, very best that are able to keep it going.

“I think he's showing that he is the very, very best.”

Anderson has an even better record at Trent Bridge, where the third Test starts on Saturday with England looking for another win that would give them an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

“He's not just good when the conditions suit him, but in these conditions he's the best in the world,” Bayliss said.

“It's a test for any batsman in the world to try to face him in these conditions.”

Even India captain Virat Kohli, who made 200 runs off his own bat including a superb century in England's narrow 31-run win in the first Test at Edgbaston, struggled at Lord's. Bayliss said adjusting to the local environment was a problem for all touring teams.

“When the ball is swinging around they (India) have some difficulties, as when it's spinning and we go to the sub-continent," the Australian explained.

“They have some extremely good players, so our job is to try and stay on top.”

England were without Ben Stokes at Lord's because of his ongoing trial for affray.

But fellow pace-bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes turned in a man-of-the-match display in his absence, returning from injury to score a maiden Test century and take four wickets as well.

His runs, mainly made during a sixth-wicket stand of 189 with Jonny Bairstow, helped England recover from 131 for five to 396 for seven declared.

 

 

Bayliss backs Anderson to bowl on for a few more years yet

AFP, LONDON: Englands all-time leading Test wicket-taker James Anderson may be 36, but coach Trevor Bayliss believes hes still got several years of international cricket left in him. Swing bowler Anderson made the most of helpful conditions with a match haul of nine for 43 as England overwhelmed India by an innings and 159 runs in the second Test at Lords on Sunday. In the process, he became the first bowler to take 100 Test wickets at Lords and took his career tally to 553 -- just 10 shy of Australia great Glenn McGraths record of 563 for the most taken by any pace bowler in Test cricket. Anderson is also currently top of the International Cricket Councils Test bowling rankings. I dont think theres any age -- he keeps surprising everyone, said Bayliss. As long as he keeps his body fit theres no reason why he cant go on for three or four years, he added of Anderson, who has been managing a shoulder injury. A lot of other bowlers do start to drop off mid-30s or so. Its only the very, very best that are able to keep it going. I think hes showing that he is the very, very best. Anderson has an even better record at Trent Bridge, where the third Test starts on Saturday with England looking for another win that would give them an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. Hes not just good when the conditions suit him, but in these conditions hes the best in the world, Bayliss said. Its a test for any batsman in the world to try to face him in these conditions. Even India captain Virat Kohli, who made 200 runs off his own bat including a superb century in Englands narrow 31-run win in the first Test at Edgbaston, struggled at Lords. Bayliss said adjusting to the local environment was a problem for all touring teams. When the ball is swinging around they (India) have some difficulties, as when its spinning and we go to the sub-continent, the Australian explained. They have some extremely good players, so our job is to try and stay on top. England were without Ben Stokes at Lords because of his ongoing trial for affray. But fellow pace-bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes turned in a man-of-the-match display in his absence, returning from injury to score a maiden Test century and take four wickets as well. His runs, mainly made during a sixth-wicket stand of 189 with Jonny Bairstow, helped England recover from 131 for five to 396 for seven declared.