BUMBLE ON THE TEST: Jimmy's on an almighty run and Broad is throwback
BUMBLE ON THE TEST: Jimmy Anderson is on an almighty run, Stuart Broad is a throwback to Andy Caddick and Jack Leach is a bit of an unsung hero in this England team
- England have taken a 1-0 lead over New Zealand following a dominant Test win
- Anderson continues to rewrite the record books in his 21st year in Test cricket
- Spinner Leach also played an important role to help England wrap up victory
Jimmy Anderson carried England to a rousing 267-run victory over New Zealand in Mount Maunganui as they made it 10 wins from 11 since Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum began their revolution of the Test side.
The result was in little doubt as play resumed on the fourth afternoon of this day/night game at Bay Oval, Stuart Broad having ripped the guts out of the top order with an electric four-wicket burst, but with Anderson on song the tourists wrapped it up with minimal fuss.
Anderson took four of the five wickets to fall, shredding the home side’s resistance in the opening session. New Zealand went from 63 for five overnight to 126 all out in exactly 100 minutes, with a last-wicket stand between Daryl Mitchell and Blair Tickner taking up more than half of that time.
In a week that Anderson and Broad became the most prolific partnership in Test history, nipping past Australian greats Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, it was fitting that England’s record wicket-taker took his share of the limelight.
David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd casts his eye back over day four of the first Test.
Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad starred in impressive first Test victory over New Zealand
Jimmy’s on an almighty run
Jimmy Anderson continues to rewrite the record books in his 21st year in Test cricket.
To give an insight into how he keeps going, I remember seeing him at Old Trafford when I went for some treatment on an injury in February 2020. As I was driving in at 8.30am, Jimmy was going out for a run round the streets.
He said: ‘I hate this, but I have to do it.’
I know all England bowlers used to talk privately with Bob Willis — and Bob’s advice was always: ‘Just run.’
Broad is a throwback to Caddick
Stuart Broad reminds me a lot of Andy Caddick.
He will be quiet, not a lot is happening, and then bang — everything clicks into gear.
When he is absolutely on it, there is a real bounce in his approach and his knees are pumping.
That is very similar to Caddick, another very tall bowler.
Playing hard wasn’t for Nass!
England have only three days before the second Test but I don’t expect they’ll spend them in the nets.
They work hard, but they play hard as well and I can see Brendon McCullum leading the charge round Wellington. I wish I was with them.
I am a big advocate of getting away from the game but I’m amazed to read in these pages that Hussain thinks the same way.
He’d have been in the nets every day!
Breezy at the Basin
The next Test is at the Basin Reserve, which is one of the great grounds — even if it is on a massive roundabout in the city centre!
The last time I was there, it was falling into ruin and the thinking was they wouldn’t play there again, so it’s good that Test cricket is back.
It will be windy, though, so Anderson or Broad will have to bowl into a howling gale.
The next Test is being played at the Basin Reserve (pictured), which is one of the great grounds
Aussies will go toe-to-toe
Australia have just lost in India but they will be far more competitive in England.
They will go toe-to-toe with us in the Ashes. England are playing a super brand of cricket but other countries will definitely adopt it.
Australia were the first team to bat like England are now, so there is no reason to think they won’t play that way this summer.
I’m on a juggernaut
I have just returned from a little sojourn in Dubai, commentating on the brand new International League T20.
I doubted whether it would get much interest but we were told it attracted 250 million viewers in India.
The big shots from Zee TV were absolutely over the moon. That is the juggernaut that is T20 cricket.
He’s all right, Jack!
Spinner Jack Leach played an important role to help England wrap up victory on Sunday
Jack Leach is a bit of an unsung hero in this England team.
He got the first wicket but more importantly, he held up an end for 11 overs, going for just 25 runs, and allowed the seamers to have a breather.
It is good how England have backed Leach because you always need a spinner up your sleeve.
I’d always be a bit twitchy without one in an attack which is very samey.
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