James Anderson, who has taken 123 wickets at Lord’s across 29 Test matches, offered some advice to the opposing teams ahead of the one-off Test beginning on Wednesday. With South Africa’s pace attack featuring Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Marco Jansen, and Australia fielding Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and the consistently reliable Josh Hazlewood, the battle between the two sides’ fast bowlers is expected to play a crucial role in deciding the outcome of the World Test Championship final, according to the ICC website.
Anderson’s Insights on Bowling and Key Battles Ahead
Here is definitely somewhere you need to pitch the ball up,” Anderson said, according to the ICC website.
“A lot of people talk about the top of off stump being the ideal length, but I think here it’s more three-quarters up the stump. That way you are a little bit fuller in length, so that’s my advice for the seamers,” he added.
India’s pacer Jasprit Bumrah faces stiff competition from other top Test bowlers like Kagiso Rabada, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood, all of whom will be competing in the World Test Championship final.
Anderson regards Rabada as one of his favorite bowlers and believes the key matchup in the final will be Rabada versus Australia’s Steve Smith.
“The main one for me will be Rabada against Steve Smith, and I think that could be a really good, interesting battle,” Anderson said.
“Steve Smith is one of the best batters in the world, and Kagiso Rabada is one of my favorite bowlers to watch. He has so many attributes that make me want to tune in and watch him. He’s a fantastic player, so I’m really looking forward to that battle,” he noted.
Anderson also praised South Africa’s decision to bring in England great Stuart Broad as a consultant for the Proteas.
“I think it’s a smart move from South Africa. Stuart’s had great success in English conditions, especially at Lord’s. He knows the ground very well and has performed there consistently. He can provide valuable information and advice to the South African team, which will be great from their perspective,” Anderson said.
