Anderson has India on the brink

Updated December 14, 2012 22:17:05

James Anderson took the wickets of Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir to leave India in trouble at 4 for 87 at the end of day two of the fourth Test in Nagpur, still 243 runs behind England.

The swing bowler knocked over Sehwag's poles second ball and also dislodged Tendulkar's bails after the Little Master had mustered just two runs.

Anderson also dismissed top-scorer Gambhir (37) caught behind.

Earlier, Yorkshireman debutant Joe Root hit 73 to equal Kevin Pietersen as the England top scorer helping the tourists to 330 all out.

Playing in an England cap, Root looked like a player from yesteryear and played the type of steady knock his countyfolk made famous midway through the last century.

Resuming overnight on 31, Root and Matt Prior (57) extended their partnership to 103 before the wicketkeeper was bowled out with the score at 6 for 242.

Tim Bresnan fell for a duck second ball to Ishant Sharma (3 for 49), before Graeme Swann (57) joined Root to play a typically feisty innings including two sixes.

Eventually Piyush Chawla wrapped up the tail dismissing Root caught and bowled, Swann leg before and James Anderson (4) caught at short leg to finish with career best figures of 4 for 69.

After Sehwag's wicket fell Gambhir and Cheteshwar Pujara (26) steadied the ship before Ian Bell took a stunning catch at short leg to dismiss the latter off the bowling of Swann.

Virat Kohli (11) and MS Dhoni (8) are the not out batsmen at stumps, with India facing an uphill battle to square the four-Test series at 2-2.

Tags: sport, cricket, india, england

First posted December 14, 2012 22:11:35

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Anderson slams former England skipper Vaughan

Updated September 10, 2012 07:53:19

England pace bowler James Anderson has launched a scathing attack on the captaincy of Michael Vaughan, who led his country's successful bid to regain the Ashes in 2005.

Vaughan was widely regarded as a fine leader after revitalising England in the run-up to its first Test series win over old rivals Australia in 18 years.

But Anderson, who did not feature in the 2005 Ashes after losing his place in the England team, claims Vaughan lacked the ability to talk to his players as individuals and left him feeling "alone and isolated" when he needed support.

Writing in his autobiography, an excerpt of which was published in the Mail on Sunday, the 30-year-old, who is now a key member of the England bowling attack, talked about his relationships with Vaughan and Nasser Hussain, another former national team captain.

"My relationship with Nasser was good on and off the field. The same could be said of my relationship with Michael Vaughan, captain during my early England years, since his retirement.

"Unfortunately, despite our cordiality now, I didn't enjoy Vaughan as a captain," Anderson said.

"As a young fast bowler, you need to know that your captain has his arm around your shoulder, if not physically, then metaphorically.

"Unfortunately, that is not something I ever felt playing under Vaughan. I actually felt alone and isolated when I most needed support.

"Prime example of that was my recall for the fourth Test against South Africa at the Wanderers in 2005.

"I had spent the first three Tests on tour out of favour. My tour was one big net, and because I had been so far removed from selection, I wasn't even thinking about playing.

"When preferred to Simon Jones, I was underprepared. It was five months since my last first-class action. I didn't bowl very well.

"Although I started okay as first change, it wasn't long before I began dragging the ball down short and wide. I got clattered everywhere and was soon shot of confidence.

"Vaughan asked: 'What's up, mate? Radar gone?'

"'Yeah, I think it has,' I said, desperate for some backing. All I received was a pat between the shoulder blades and an instruction to 'keep going'."

Anderson believes Vaughan's failure to communicate well was largely ignored because he was in charge of so many good players that the team's results kept the spotlight off the captain.

"A good captain should know how to talk to his team as individuals. I don't think Vaughan ever had that in him - a major reason I've not held him in as high regard as others have," Anderson added.

"He was not as good a captain as others made out. He was captain of a truly great team in 2005."

AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, england, united-kingdom

First posted September 10, 2012 07:50:02

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