Joe Root said James Anderson was a “special commodity” who should be enjoyed for as long as possible after England’s leading all-time Test wicket-taker showed his class yet again in an innings and 159-run hammering of India at Lord’s.
The overcast conditions and green-tinged pitch, as much a consequence of a sudden change in the weather after a prolonged dry spell as anything else, were ideal for Anderson.
But the 36-year-old Lancashire swing specialist exploited them expertly in a match haul of nine for 43 that saw him become the first bowler to take 100 Test wickets at Lord’s.
“He’s a special, special commodity, isn’t he?,” said Root of Anderson after England won the second Test in emphatic fashion to go 2-0 up in a five-match series.
“He’s something that doesn’t come along very often and we’ve got to enjoy him while he’s around,” he added.
“There’s been chat about his longevity but at the minute he’s bowling better than he ever has before. Time and again, he puts in fantastic performances.
“For him to be performing as he is, is something else.
“Even though the conditions suited (him), you’ve still got to put the ball in the right area and ask the right questions of the batters.
“Throughout the whole game he did just that, he set the tone well with Stu (Broad), as a whole bowling group we were really, really good.”
