Published: Aug 06, 2015, 11:30 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 06, 2015, 09:18 PM (IST)
Stuart Broad and James Anderson have been the pillars of strength of the bred English bowling attack with the latter being the spearhead. Anderson, who picked a six-for, in the first innings at the Edgbaston Test, suffered a mistimed injury which has ruled him out of the Trent Bridge Test that commences on Thursday. It will now be up to Broad to shoulder the English bowling attack and help them maintain the momentum. Suraj Choudhari reckons the Nottingham Test will test Broad’s individuality.
Anderson had an awful time at Lord’s, but he was quick to turn things around at Edgbaston, as he recorded his best Ashes figures by claiming six wickets in the first innings and finished the game with seven Australian scalps to his name. He was undoubtedly one of the main reasons behind Australia’s destruction there. But his absence from the fourth Test is a huge blow for the English team and by far they don’t have a replacement for their most successful bowler.
This leaves the English management in a state of dilemma as who will replace their premier speedster. They have included Liam Plunkett and Mark Footitt in the 14 men-squad, but neither is experienced enough or has adequate gunpowder in their cannon to fire like Anderson. If his fitness favours him, England would be desperate to see Wood putting those hard yards on the field. To add to their woes, Anderson has a fascinating record at Trent Bridge. This oddity is best elucidated when we have a glimpse at the stats. In eight Tests at Trent Bridge, Anderson has captured 53 wickets at an overwhelming average of 19.24. Broad and Anderson hunt as a pair. That, sadly, will be missed by England in the fourth Test.
Can Broad deliver?
With Anderson unavailable, Broad will have to assume being the leader of the pack. In six Tests at this venue, he has picked 25 wickets at an average of 23.24. But Broad’s pace has seen a substantial drop in recent times. Happily, though, he has been in an insane form in the ongoing calendar year with 35 wickets from eight Test outings. Broad doesn’t depend much on swing although he’s well capable of moving the red cherry; he prefers to bowl full and extracts some lateral movement off the surface too. He looks more destructive in the second innings of a Test match.
England would at least eye to save this Test and hold on to the incalculable 2-1 lead. To preserve the lead, England just can’t expect one gun to fire; the other bowlers too need to step up. They have a golden opportunity to win the Urn, but with Anderson out, Broad is without a doubt the man for England at Trent Bridge.
(Suraj Choudhari, an avid cricket follower who plays the sport at club level, is a staffer with Criclife)
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