Anderson Believes No Teams Could Have Stopped Them in Those Conditions

James Anderson was the pick of the English bowlers as they took just 35.2 overs to bowl out the visiting team for 107 in the second day of the second Test at Lord’s.

Cricket news: Anderson took five wickets as India were bundled up for 107

Anderson took five wickets in the match for 20 runs as it was his 26th five-wicket haul in his career. The bowling performance was so up to the mark that Anderson believes that no team could have stood their ground in front of such bowling.

The 36-year-old cricketer said in the post-match press conference, “Honestly, I’d have been so disappointed if I’d messed up today,” as he suggested that he could still lead the bowling attack for years.

Anderson started the proceedings with a perfect out-swinger which knocked the stumps of Murali Vijay and ended the proceedings by trapping Ishant Sharma in front.

Anderson was rightfully backed by Chris Woakes (2/19), Stuart Broad (1/37) and Sam Curran (1/26) and by the pacer’s estimation, no batting lineup could have repelled the attack.

“To be honest, I think that if we bowled like that today, with those conditions, we’d bowl most teams in the world out – because I think we were that good,” Anderson effused. “We hardly bowled any bad balls, didn’t give them much to hit at all – and when you build pressure like that all day, no matter who you are around the world, it is difficult.

“I think if we were bowling at our batsmen, we’d have the better of them (too) We exploit those conditions as well as anyone in the world. I don’t think it’s just the Indian batsmen that would have struggled.”

The conditions also favoured the fast bowler as he said, “Honestly, I’d have been so disappointed if I’d messed up today because they were ideal conditions to bowl in.”

The English fans were delighted to know Anderson believes that there are still a few spells and few years left in him.

“All I think about is getting my body in as good a condition as it can be to cope with bowling out in the middle. I was delighted with how many overs I bowled at Edgbaston. For my body to get through that at this age I’m really happy with. I think I mean I’m doing the right stuff off the field.

“But I don’t think about numbers or my age, I feel like, I won’t say 28, but 32. I don’t feel old, I feel like I can still throw myself around in the field as well as anyone else so as long as I feel like that I’m just going to keep playing as long as possible. Hopefully the wickets will keep coming as well and I can help this team keep winning.”