Should England drop James Anderson in India?
Neal Widdows
Posted on: 11 March 2011 - 16:00
Cricket
The outstanding performance of England’s seam attack in Australia was a key component in securing their first Ashes triumph down under since 1987. The leader of that attack was James Anderson.
Before the series, many had argued that his swing bowling would be ineffective in Australian conditions. They were wrong. He finished as the top wicket taker in the series with 24, and silenced his doubters and the din of Mitchell Johnson’s sledging in the process.
Where is the Ashes winning Anderson?
But since the one-day internationals (ODI’s) have started, Anderson has struggled to maintain his Ashes form. After missing the first four matches to spend time at home with his wife and their new baby, he took just seven wickets in three games, with a worryingly high economy rate of 5.95.
The struggles of 'the Burnley Express' continued as he produced an erratic display as the Netherlands made England’s bowlers sweat in their World Cup opener. The normally reliable lion was lucky to remain in the attack after bowling two waist-high full tosses showcasing a worrying lack of control for a bowler of his standing.
Things did not improve against India, as Anderson returned figures of 1-91 from 9.5 overs. Then came the infamous defeat to Ireland, with the 28-year-old once again only managing to take 1-50 from 8.1 overs having perhaps been lucky to have retained his place with Stuart Broad back in the side after illness. Although he demonstrated signs of a return to his Ashes best in the dramatic win against South Africa, his previously poor displays have led some to question his role as the spearhead of England’s one-day attack.
Out of form, or over-bowled?
So what are the reasons behind Anderson’s struggles in the shorter form of the game? Well the pitches in India have hardly been to the swinger’s taste. Flat, lifeless pitches have offered very little to seam bowlers in general, and a lack of movement has limited the England man’s effectiveness even further.
It could also be argued that the excursions of the Ashes triumph have taken a toll both physically and mentally on the new father, leaving him jaded heading into the subsequent ODI’s and the World Cup. However, taking into consideration the face that he missed half of the ODI’s in Australia it is an excuse that is unlikely to wash with the Barmy Army.
What has been particularly worrying about his performances in India though has been his inability to bowl at the death of an innings. He was erratic against the Dutch and the Indians, failing to pitch two balls in the same area. As the most senior bowler in the England side, Andrew Strauss should be able to rely on Anderson at critical stages. The fact Strauss turned to Broad against South Africa with the game on a knife-edge is a sign that the captain does not trust him to bowl in such pressurised situations.
Experience will shine through
Anderson’s seniority however has now become even more crucial with Broad ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a side strain. The rest of England’s pace attack combined have appeared in less ODI’s than Anderson, while Tim Bresnan and Ajmal Shahzad are taking part in their first World Cup. Therefore he will now need to step up to the mark and demonstrate the leadership skills he displayed in Australia.
Let us all remember that Anderson has not become a bad bowler overnight either. On a more swing-friendly surface against South Africa he looked much like the Anderson of the winter, bowling JP Duminy with a superb in-swinging delivery, having bowled AB De Villiers with a ball that was so good it took everyone several seconds to realise the bails had been dislodged.
Dropping the England marksman after a few bad games would be a knee-jerk reaction, and at a time when England are striving for some consistency in what has been a turbulent World Cup campaign, they would be best advised to stick with their top seam bowler.