England coach hints at resting James Anderson for The Oval Test
Veteran England seamer James Anderson is having a dream series so far against India. In the three games so far, he has picked 13 wickets and he certainly doesn’t seem to slow down. But with a gap of just four days between the third and fourth Test, England’s most-capped Test bowler could be rested for The Oval Test which is starting on September 2.
Anderson has so far played all the three Tests and head coach Chris Silverwood may rest his premier bowler. Earlier India skipper Virat Kohli too had hinted in the post-match press conference that he will look to rest his bowlers for managing their workload, which could mean a few bowlers being rested in the next two games.
“What I don’t want to do is break them. We’ve got a lot of cricket in front of us. The Tests are coming thick and fast now. Back-to-back, it is difficult,” said England head coach Chris Silverwood to the media while pointing out the workload of his two new-ball bowlers, Anderson and Ollie Robinson.
Anderson so far has ably led the attack in absence of his bowling partner Stuart Broad. The veteran has also bowled 116.3 overs, which is just two balls less than newcomer Ollie Robinson (116.5).
“These guys are giving everything, every day when we are out on the field and we have got to make sure we are looking after them. But I won’t be making any decisions or judgments right now,” he added.
Chris Silverwood feels it will be hard to convince Anderson to take rest
Meanwhile, Anderson had clearly stated before the series that he wishes to play all the five Tests, even when he was having some small niggle before the second Test at Lord’s. And the form he has shown in this calendar year, Silverwood admits it will be tough task to convince Anderson to take rest before the final Test at Old Trafford begins on September 10.
After the India series, England have the Ashes to be played in Down Under starting in December. With already Jofra Archer certain to miss the five-match series against Australia, the management is keen to not overburden Anderson.
