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Ashes 2015: James Anderson’s side strain reminiscent of Glenn McGrath’s twisted ankle in Ashes 2005

Australia will seek solace in their own history and hope that the fate of The Ashes 2005 is replicated — albeit reversed — a decade later.

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Glenn McGrath (left) sustained an injury that changed the course of Ashes 2005; will the injury to James Anderson prove to be the same? © Getty Images
Glenn McGrath (left) sustained an injury that changed the course of Ashes 2005; will the injury to James Anderson prove to be the same? © Getty Images

James Anderson picked up an injury during the third Test of Ashes 2015 at Edgbaston, and could not bowl more than 8.3 overs in the second innings. Given that he had taken his best ever Ashes figures of 6 for 47 to rout Australia for 136 in the first innings, his loss will be a massive blow for England in the fourth Test at Trent Bridge. Shiamak Unwalla feels this could have a similar impact on the fortunes of both teams as the freak injury picked up by Glenn McGrath on the morning of the second Test of The 2005 Ashes at — by coincidence — Edgbaston. READ: James Anderson shows pace and bounce is not the only way to take wickets

Ashes 2005 has gone down in history as one of the most competitive Test series ever witnessed. It was the first time since winning the urn that Australia had failed to retain it; the contest also showed that the mighty Australians were mortal after all. However, the final 2-1 result in favour of England could well have been vastly different had it not been for a twist of fate that resulted in Glenn McGrath — who took nine wickets in the first Test at Lord’s — stepping on a stray ball during practice and twisting his ankle. READ:  Where have all the batsmen gone in Ashes 2015? 

The effect of a McGrath-less Australian attack was seen immediately in the second Test at Edgbaston, as England scored 407 on Day One in the first innings and took an invaluable lead. Shane Warne and Brett Lee ran through them in the second innings, but England ensured they scored 2 runs more than what Australia were able to. England managed to draw level, and that victory gave them the confidence they needed to go on to win the series. READ: Michael Clarke’s lack of runs dangerous for Australia

A decade down the line, the scenario is a similar one. England are leading 2-1 with two Tests remaining, and the man who bundled out Australia in the first innings at Edgbaston will have to miss the next Test at Trent Bridge after pulling up with a side strain. James Anderson, who has taken 53 wickets at 19.24 and a strike rate of 41 at Trent Bridge, will have to sit out at the venue he thrives in the most. This could prove to be a game-changing turn of events for Australia, who must win at least one of the next two Tests (and then hope for a draw) to retain their first Ashes in England for well over a decade. READ: Nathan Lyon’s role in Australia’s bowling attack extremely critical

Anderson has not quite been at his best so far in The Ashes 2015. He took three wickets in the first Test at Cardiff and went wicketless at Lord’s as Steve Smith, David Warner, and Chris Rogers plundered runs at will. But he finally looked like his old threatening self with a sensational display of swing bowling at Edgbaston where he took his Ashes best 6 for 47 in the first innings to help bundle Australia out for a mere 136. He took the vital wicket of David Warner in the second innings as well before pulling up in only his ninth over with a side strain. Luckily for England Steven Finn ended up taking 6 for 79, but Anderson’s loss will most certainly be felt at Trent Bridge. READ: Steven Finn’s dream spell spells Australia’s doom in Ashes 2015 3rd Test

Anderson got rid of Warner in both innings at Edgbaston, and also in the first innings at Cardiff. Without him to rein Warner in, England’s chances against Australia’s explosive opener look darker. If Warner gets going — and he gets the support of his middle-order this time — then another leather hunt for the English bowlers will be on the cards at Trent Bridge. READ: Dear Australian batsmen, will you stop letting your bowlers down in Ashes 2015?

Australia will seek solace in their own history and hope that the fate of The Ashes 2005 is replicated — albeit reversed — a decade later. McGrath’s injury held the key for England in 2005. Can Anderson’s wound prove to be England’s undoing in The Ashes 2015? READ: Michael Clarke’s captaincy in Ashes 2015 lacks flexibility

(Shiamak Unwalla, a reporter with CricketCountry, is a self-confessed Sci-Fi geek who loves cricket more than cricketers. His Twitter handle is @ShiamakUnwalla)

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