England fast-bowler James Anderson expects India to be a stronger side when the second Test starts at Trent Bridge tomorrow, after bowling the hosts to victory in the series opener.
Anderson took five for 65 as England won by a convincing 196-run margin to take a 1-0 lead in the series. The 28-year-old seemed wary of the Indian threat, despite his team’s resounding win.
“When any team gets beaten they generally come back stronger and have more fire in their belly,” said Anderson. “All we can do is concentrate on our game, prepare well and concentrate on that first hour on Friday.”
Top ranking at stake
Victory at Lord’s left England on course to replace India at the top of the Test rankings, something they will achieve if they win this series by a margin of at least two matches. With the win in the opening Test coming with ease, the feat remains possible.
However, Anderson warned past efforts were no guarantee of future successes.
“It was a great performance,” he said. “But that’s gone now. We’ve got to hit the re-set button.”
Boycott, Donald back England
Meanwhile, former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott has said that India’s defeat by England marked the ‘beginning of the end’ of their time as the world’s number one Test team.
Former South Africa fast-bowler Allan Donald echoed Boycott’s views saying that the hosts ‘deserve’ the number one ranking.
Boycott believed left-armer Zaheer Khan’s dodgy fitness had proved to be the killer blow for India.
“Zaheer is a quality bowler but I never expected him to survive bowling in four Tests in five weeks,” he said. “His ability has never been in doubt but his fitness is always a worry.”
Meanwhile, Donald insisted that England had the best bowling attack in the world.
“England deserve to be the number one team,” he said. “Chris Tremlett, Stuart Broad, Anderson and Graeme Swann are fantastic. Then you’ve got a few more in the bank — Tim Bresnan still in the wings.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 28th, 2011.
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