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I can still thrive when ball not swinging, says Anderson
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Paceman James
Anderson, who won the first test for England with
match figures of 11-71 against Pakistan, believes
he can be just as effective in the Ashes series in
Australia when the ball is not swinging.
England thrashed Pakistan by 354 runs within four
days at Trent Bridge after Anderson bowled
unchanged for 11 overs on Sunday morning to
exploit the swinging |
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conditions. His
performance elevated him to fifth in the world
rankings.
Anderson, 28, was
called the best swing bowler in the world by his
captain Andrew Strauss and several other pundits
offered similar praise but all with the pre-cursor
'in the right conditions'.
He is unlikely to be presented with similarly
helpful conditions in Australia, where on
England's last tour he took just five wickets in
three matches at the remarkably high average of
82.60.
"One thing we've talked about is trying to
concentrate on it (the ball) not swinging,"
Anderson told reporters. "Our main aim is to bowl
maidens, create pressure from both ends, if it
swings we can bowl more attacking. (But) most of
our focus in preparation for games has been based
on the ball not swinging.
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"Our job as seam bowlers is to bowl
in good areas consistently and not give easy
scoring shots," he added. "When it is swinging it
helps me more than the other two (Stuart Broad and
Steven Finn). I do find it a little bit easier
when it swings."
In Australia, Anderson should get conditions to
his liking in the first test in Brisbane in
November, and in the fourth test in Melbourne
(late December) to a lesser extent. |
The other
grounds of Sydney, Adelaide and Perth are more about
either pace or spin.
One aspect that Anderson and the other England bowlers
will be relying on is the continuation of England's
impressive and reliable catching. Only one half-chance
was spilt in Nottingham when Graeme Swann dived full
length and missed a one-handed effort.
Otherwise, the fielding was immaculate and in
particular the slip cordon of Strauss, Swann and Paul
Collingwood, whose two catches pouched above his head
were described by Strauss as "half-chances."
"The wicket was really difficult for the keeper and
slips," Anderson reflected. "When the catches did
carry, they were going pretty quickly, so that was
brilliant from everyone.
"Not just the three in the slips. We have a few other
guys doing gully and slip practice and it's all paying
off at the moment."
--Reuters, Nottingham, England
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