Very true and if they'd held onto a couple of sitters, then Pakistan could have been in a whole heap of trouble, far worse than even now.. You can understand Root bringing Sam Curran in as Crawley isn't Ben Stokes and we were a batsman short in the last test anyway. It was only a matter of who they could rest and Anderson's presser was perfectly timed to exclude him. Root's words on never doubting Jimmy have been fully vindicated as he's shown once again he's world class at exploiting favourable conditions. Curran's left armers and batting ability had to be added to try and partially cover the loss.
What perhaps wasn't so much thought of was the effect in the slip cordon, even if Ben himself has been busy shelling his fair share recently too. We had a new man at second slip and the spacing between where second and third should stand, who should go for which and when needs to come with practice as a new cordon finds it's feet. Even when it goes straight to a new man the confidence and familiarity with the position isn't there.
The fielding hasn't always been up to scratch throughout the summer, it's just lucky we have four seamers who are perfectly equipped to just carry on creating the chances in such favourable conditions.
A lot of good points there.
On Anderson I'll be honest I was quite surpised about a lot of the noise about him. Over the last 25 or so home tests he has a world class performance level. Better than Broad, better than Woakes, in truth better than almost any England bowler over any equivalent period. He's averaging under 18. I suppose fans are fickle and look at 1 or 2 test matches and make big calls. People were saying Broad was miles ahead, yet in the previous 2 series (South Africa and New Zeeland Anderson bowled better too).
Alongside that I saw some evidence (before this test match) that Andersons average, from deliveries bowled would have normally been around the 24 mark. He'd bowled very well and been unlucky. I was pleased to see that really, as for the most part it was how I felt about him. He was the pick of the bowlers today as well for me.
The issue they have, and we will keep going round on this is what do you do when you go away from home-particularly too Australia. I don't think they've got any idea. Are you just going to pick Anderson/Broad for home tests? Are you going to fit 1 of them in for away tests? Will they interchange? Is there a preference for either one? Will they play both of them, and given how many allrounders they have, almost have a 6 or 7 man attack that can also have a coiple of quicks (the utimate fudge?). Are they being slowly phased out? I have no idea, and there have been alot of mixed messages to me.
I've been fairly clear Id have picked Curran over Bess. But if Archer needs a rest it's fair enough. They do need to manage Archer properly. I like Sam Curran a lot, and while he looks another England specialist, I do have some hopes his batting can get to a level where he is a useful number 7 and a left arm option.
As regards the fielding yes, it's not been great. I do wonder with a swinging dukes ball if it's a bit harder? Who knows?
