India vs England: James Anderson reminds Joe Root of Andrew Flintoff from 2005 Ashes

After the triumph over India, England’s captain Joe Root praised their seniors most bowler James Anderson for his spectacular spell on the final day and put his side “very comfortable position”.  Anderson, 38, dismissed Shubman Gill and Ajinkya Rahane in the same over. During the virtual press conference, Root said that his speel reminded him of Andrew Flintoff in the 2005 Ashes where he removed Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer in the same over.

“It reminded me a little bit of (Andrew) Flintoff in 2005 (Edgbaston Test) and the impact of that over to (Ricky) Ponting and (Justin) Langer slightly. In the context of this game, it was huge,” Root recalled in the post-match press conference.

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“When you see someone like Jimmy Anderson, naturally you expect that from him,” he added.

Root fell no short of words while praising Anderson for his spell.

“He seems to get better all the time. The skill level keeps improving…his work rate is good as anyone I have ever seen. And his fitness level are the best he’s ever been in his whole career,” he said.

“It is a credit to English cricket. That’s a great example to all England players. When you are under pressure and need something to happen when you got him in your armoury it is a very comfortable position to be in,” Root added.

Root expressed his pleasure with the team and praised his teammates for being in the driver’s seat.

“The likes of Ben Stokes coming on and taking the wicket of Virat Kohli…They are big-game players and they stand up and they do special things. It’s a great example for the young guys around to go and see (and say) that I want to be the one doing that,” he said.

“They are those big moments that you have to grasp. And if you want to win the series in these conditions against a side as good as India, these are the things that you have to get right,” he added.

As fans were not allowed for the first Test, Root said he missed the fans. While spectators will be allowed for the second Test at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.

“Well, we certainly miss our fans, the travelling fans and their support. Obviously, it’s a big loss towards the end, to be able to enjoy a week, like this alongside the guys playing,” Root said.

“It might be very different next week when there are a few people in the ground, and I’m sure that will improve the aesthetics of Test cricket even more,” he added.

After defeating the hosts by 227 runs, England took the 1-0 lead in the four-match series. The second Test starts on February 13 at the same venue.