Pride of place in this article, and in cricketing headlines around the world tomorrow, must go to James Anderson. The Burnley Express took his 300th Test wicket at Lord's today, and quickly took his overall tally to 301. He could have had 302 had Matt Prior uncharacteristically dropped Kane Williamson on 23. Not only for that reason but others too, Anderson has acquired the moniker of 'Unlucky' here. One recurring theme that I have noticed in Anderson's Test renaissance over the last five years or so is a
lack of luck. A common club cricket phrase uttered by wise old veterans and eager young prodigies alike is 'shit gets wickets'. Although Anderson rarely bowls any 'shit' these days, even precious few of his late order/tail end wickets are from poor balls. He hardly ever benefits from the batter's generosity either. In this respect, it may be an unfortunate repercussion of his deserved fearsome reputation around the world that batters are reluctant to take liberties with him. Anderson appears to be perenially bereft of luck. His magnificent, unplayable, but ultimately unrewarded spell of bowling to Michael Hussey on the third day of the first 10/11 Ashes Test is rapidly becoming stuff of legend. Superbly skilful yet agonisingly futile, Anderson became noticeablely increasingly frustrated and disbelieving as he watched Hussey play and miss, and again, and again, and again. Some of his spells today held echoes of Brisbane, and he can feel aggreived not not have taken his wicket tally to withing a few of Fred Trueman's.
Anderson may also feel aggreived at the possible percieved lack of support he was given by his fellow seamers, in particularly Steven Finn. I cast aspersions on Finn's form in my previous post, although not strongly enough that I can feel smugness with any validity, but he did bowl poorly today. Inevitably, Finn chooses the moment I am writing this to take the wicket of Dean Brownlie, but I retain my criticism. At the risk of stating the obvious, the wicket came from a full delivery, which were a rarity to see when Finn was bowling throughout the day. May + England + wet weather should equal full bowling. It's not rocket science. I have to say I can sympathise with Finn a little. Although tiny compared to the 6'7" Finn, I am taller than most of the people I play cricket with or against. I often find myself erring on the short side when bowling, and struggling to pitch it up even if that is what I'm trying to do. Having said that, I am a club trundler, Finn is an international professional, so the sympathy stops there. It was a Bad day for the Middlesex quick, who is clearly better than what he showed today.
Finn's rival for a place in the starting XI was also in action today, and my, what a Good day he had. Tim Bresnan was released by England to join Yorkshire in their match against Warwickshire. Although it may have been that they didn't require the burly all-rounders services, if nothing else he hastened the White Rose's comprehensive innings victory over the champions. On an Edgbaston wicket where scoring fluent runs was reportedly difficult, he made a robust 38 in support of Adil Rashid, who finished Yorkshire's innings on an unbeaten second Championship century of the season, heightening the, admittedly slim, chances of an England recall. He then made the best possible start to his bowling outing, trapping Varun Chopra lbw with the first ball of Warwickshire's second innings. He then picked up Darren Maddy and Tom Milnes later on to complete a trio of seamers with three wickets each as Yorkshire romped home. He appears to be back to his best and the England selectors may have a few rueful smiles on their faces. Bresnan meanwhile, will have one as broad as his shoulders, as he savours Yorkshire's ascension to the top of the table.
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