Strauss calls for calm as Anderson hits new heights
CAPTAIN Andrew Strauss has warned his England side there is still room for improvement despite this 354-run thrashing of Pakistan in the first Test at Trent Bridge.
James Anderson claimed a six-wicket haul and best ever match figures of 11-71 as England skittled out the tourists for just 80 in their second innings.
Set an unlikely 435 for victory, Pakistan never recovered from being reduced to 15-3 overnight and crumbled inside the first session as the England seam trio of Anderson, Stuart Broad and Steven Finn fully utilised the swinging conditions.
Anderson, in particular, starred on his favourite ground, wrapping up a thumping victory when Mohammad Asif edged a catch to Graeme Swann at third slip, leaving him with figures of 6-17 to add to his 5-54 from the first innings.
It was the Lancashire seamer’s first ten-wicket match haul in his 49-match Test career and continued his remarkable record at Trent Bridge, which includes three five-fors in his last four Tests including his career-best figures of 7-43 against New Zealand in 2008.
But despite the air of optimism in the England dressing room leading into this week’s second Test, which gets underway at Edgbaston on Friday, Strauss has warned there is plenty of work to do as his side prepare for this winter’s Ashes series.
“I’m very satisfied with what we’ve done,” Strauss said. “It was not all our way, we had some tough times but we reacted well.
“Our bowling was first class but I’m very conscious it’s only the first game. We’re looking for consistency and one game doesn’t make you consistent. It was a good team performance and we need to build on it in the next game.”
Anderson, meanwhile, put his career-best match figures down to “the best display of slip catching” he has ever seen by an England team.
Strauss, Swann and Paul Collingwood held on to no fewer than 10 catches behind the wicket as the seam trio made full use of the overcast conditions in Nottingham.
“This morning was the best display of slip catching we’ve produced as an England team,” Anderson said. “Every single morning they practice slip catching and it’s paying off.”