Leading the series 1-0: Cook hails Anderson after England win

The hosts claim massive nine-wicket win over West Indies in second Test.

ST GEORGE’S: England captain Alastair Cook gave the credit for Saturday’s second Test win over West Indies to James Anderson after the seam bowler’s blistering spell in the morning transformed the game.

A draw looked the likeliest outcome when play resumed on the fifth and final day but Anderson removed three West Indies batsmen with the second new ball, including Kraigg Brathwaite for 116, as his team claimed six wickets before lunch.

“The new ball was really crucial. It was all about trying to put the ball in the right areas and credit Anderson, what an outstanding spell that was,” said Cook who ended unbeaten on 59 as England, with Gary Ballance making 81 not out, reached their target of 143.

“I can’t fault the lads, it was a tough wicket to get any kind of result, slow and flat. To get 20 wickets the way we did was a great effort, down to attitude, character and a lot of skill,” he added after England went 1-0 up in the series.

While the plaudits for Anderson, England’s all-time top wicket-taker in Tests, were thoroughly deserved, a superb unbeaten 182 from Joe Root in the first-innings won him the man-of-the -match award.

“We were ruthless today,” said Root. “It is a great win to take forward for the rest of the series and the summer. There are so many positives for us all to take and it’s fantastic. I can’t wait to get back out there in Barbados,” he added referring to the third and final Test that starts on Friday.

Ramdin confident Holder will recover for 3rd Test

West Indies captain Denesh Ramdin said he was hopeful that all-rounder Jason Holder will be fit for the final Test against England.

Holder fell badly in his delivery stride, turning his left ankle.

Although the promising Barbadian was stretchered off the field, evidently in some pain, Ramdin said the initial analysis was that the injury was not as bad as it seemed. “It’s just a slight injury. Hopefully he can rest up for the next few days and come back stronger,” said Ramdin. “It was a tough loss for West Indies who had batted well on the fourth day, with Kraigg Brathwaite scoring a century to set up a chance to save the Test and force a second straight draw.”

However, Ramdin said the early loss of Brathwaite and five others before lunch radically shifted the balance of power. “After four hard days of cricket, to lose the match in one session is really hard but that is how it goes,” said Ramdin.

Anderson, Root break into top five

Anderson, Joe Root and Ballance have achieved career-best rankings in the Reliance ICC Test Player Rankings after inspiring in England’s win.

Anderson jumped three places to puts him alongside Australia’s Ryan Harris in second position, while Root jumped five places to put him in a career-best fifth position.

And Ballance is the other England player to achieve a career-high ranking with a five-place jump to 17th in the latest rankings, which were released on Sunday. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 27^th,  2015.

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