Up first, down in second: Is James Anderson only effective in first innings?

Veteran England pacer James Anderson has certainly aged like fine wine and only seems to get better with time. While you won’t see many fast bowlers being effective after turning 35, Anderson is breathing fire at 39. The right-arm pacer can still swing the ball both ways and that too at a decent pace. His experience and sharp mind add the cherry on the cake.

While Anderson is nothing but a nightmare for oppositions when the ball is swinging, questions have been raised over his prowess in other conditions. With the veteran playing majority of his matches in England, he gets assistance from the red Dukes ball and overcast conditions. Owing to the same, Anderson has taken many wickets upfront on the fresh wicket. However, the fast bowler hasn’t been effective in other circumstances.

In fact, Anderson’s lethality has looked entirely neutralized in the second innings lately. With the tracks being used by the third or fourth innings, bowlers can’t rely on just swing. The fitness of a player also gets tested in this duration and Anderson seems to have struggled. The numbers narrate the entire story as Anderson doesn’t have much to show in the wicket column of the third and fourth innings.

Since January 2019, Anderson has played 17 Tests and his second–innings record isn’t pleasant by any means. He took 10 wickets in this duration with his average being a tad below 50. This clearly shows the pacer has struggled in the second innings of the game.

James Anderson in second innings of Test matches since 1 January 2019

With Anderson doing more than well in the first innings, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) selectors haven’t omitted him. However, the cricket body can make a major decision soon, considering Anderson is in the twilight of his international career. However, his effect with the new ball still makes him a force to reckon with.

In 17 innings since January 2019, Anderson has scalped 47 wickets that include four five-wicket hauls. With these numbers not being ordinary, ECB aren’t likely to show Anderson the exit doors. However, Anderson needs to find a way to take wickets in the second innings before it’s too late.

James Anderson in the first innings of a Test since 1 January 2019