A Phenomenal Bowling Unit
A tireless bowling unit, a timeless masterclass, a nightmare for batters, an exquisite display of seam and swing, 340 Test Matches and 1253 wickets in between them, James Anderson and Stuart Broad is one unassailable, long standing partnership of brilliant bowling which has served England for more than a decade.
The Hunger Stays
Jimmy Anderson has crossed 40 and has played for more than two decades, Stuart broad is 4 years his junior and he too has played for a decade and a half. No wonder their bodies are tiring, but the heart is still going strong. The desire to perform and excel in their art is getting profound by the day which has been showcased in their extraordinary partnership in getting wins for England. The last Test match in New Zealand is a testimony to my statement.
Kiwis Mesmerised
In the Day-Night match at the Bay Oval Mount Maunganui, both teams were locked in an entertaining contest. Harry Brook turned the match in England’s favour with two scintillating innings, particularly a quick Fifty in the second innings and then Stuart Broad ripped out the New Zealand top order in an exhilarating display of seam bowling . Jimmy Anderson then got into the act and skittled out the tail. It was the master at work. Both Anderson and Broad snared 4 wickets each and ensured a resounding England win. It was just too easy for the English as the Jimmy-Broad partnership added another feather to their already illustrious cap.
Jimmy closing in on Shane
The Team management also has to be appreciated for taking care of their two stalwart bowlers. They have been generally injury free for most part of their careers and even at the fag end of their journey in cricket, they have enormous bite when it comes to bowling with the Red Cherry. On slightly helpful surfaces and supporting conditions the duo can still wreck havoc. Jimmy Anderson is just 26 wickets adrift from the Late Shane Warne’s record and it appears a matter of time when Jimmy would eclipse Shane Warne to capture the second spot, only behind Muttiah Muralitharan.
English Cricket : New Found Belligerence
English Cricket is in a great space and it would be fair to say that they are playing cricket in a sphere of their own, unseen before. Their batting is belligerent to say the least and is pulverising good bowling attacks. It is seemingly difficult to control the way they are playing. Even today, the first day of the second test match, English batters decimated the Kiwi attack after being 21 for 3. The scoring rate was almost 5 runs an over. The rain gave some respite to the bowlers but not before England had amassed 315 runs in just 65 overs. Harry Brook with a magnificent 184 of just 169 balls had stitched an amazing partnership with Joe Root for the 4th wicket. It looks am uphill task for New Zealand now and with the Jimmy-Broad danger lurking ahead, New Zealand are in a spot of bother.
It would be interesting to see, how far the Jimmy-Broad bandwagon stretches ahead and creates new milestones and records in its wake. What a journey it has been.
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Featured Image : Jimmy Anderson-Stuart Broad