Published: Aug 10, 2016, 04:51 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 10, 2016, 04:51 PM (IST)
England’s pace ace James Anderson may have scaled the zenith; the No. 1 Test Bowler Ranking yet again, but the lanky bowler has stayed grounded and has not forgotten to thank all those who have helped him knowingly or unknowingly in reaching where he has reached today. The 32-year-old cricketer, who is England’s leading wicket-taker in Tests, ODIs and also across all the formats combined together, credited former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan as one of the reasons of his success. ALSO READ: VIDEO: James Anderson displays his football skills with cricket ball.
Anderson, who possesses lethal weapon of swing through which he torments best of the batsmen world over, was asked from where he learnt the art of ‘hiding the ball’, a practice through which it becomes difficult for the batsmen to judge whether the swing will be away from or towards their stumps, while bowling. Anderson, who usually keeps the ball hidden from batsman’s view until the moment of delivery, is a master at the art, which he claims he learned from Zaheer. ALSO READ: Permutations and combinations on how India can become No. 1 Test team in ICC Rankings.
The revelation came on the sidelines of a promotional event organised by the sponsor of England – Pakistan Test series at the Oval. “From Zaheer Khan. We found it really difficult to face,” was his reply when he was asked where he learnt the art of hiding the ball. It is notable here that Zaheer had demonstrated the same art to good effect during India‘s 1-0 success in the three-match Pataudi Trophy Test campaign in England in 2007. Anderson, who was on the opposite side, silently observed the original master.
Anderson will head into the fourth and final Test against Pakistan that starts on Thursday at The Oval as the leading Test bowler in ICC Rankings after dethroning India’s off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin following England’s 141-run win in the third match Test at Edgbaston last week. If England win the Test as well as the series 3-1, they could find themselves back on top of the world Test rankings for the first time since 2012, provided other results from India – West Indies and Australia – Sri Lanka series go their way.
