England would have been hoping to make serious inroads into Australia’s batting order after winning the toss and bowling first at Lord’s, but the hosts could manage just the five wickets on day one of the second Ashes Test.
Two of those wickets belong to part-time spinner Joe Root (generously gifted by the Aussies) while James Anderson, Test cricket’s most prolific pace bowler, failed to take a wicket which has raised the eyebrow of former Australia keeper Brad Haddin.
LISTEN TO BRAD HADDIN’S CONCERNS FOR ENGLAND LEGEND JAMES ANDERSON ON THE WILLOW TALK PODCAST:
A fresh wicket, a brand new Dukes ball and overcast skies should have been the ideal conditions for Anderson, perhaps the greatest swing bowler of all time.
But the 40-year-old bowled just 15 overs – the fewest of England’s four specialist fast bowlers – and while he did have a catch put down off his bowling, he returned figures of 0-29.
It means he has taken just one wicket in the series to date, and to make matters worse, there are reports the right-armer is suffering calf soreness.
Anderson will have a chance to add to his wicket tally on day two when Australia resume their first innings at 5-339, with Steve Smith at the crease on 85no.
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