Jimmy Anderson insists it’s ‘very clear’ that England will attack India in bid to chase down record total as Ben Stokes’ side are set 399 to win the second Test
Jimmy Anderson says England would still have been aiming for cricket history with a win in the second Test even if India had been on 600 to win.
England will start the fourth day needing another 332 of their 399 winning goals and just one wicket behind, with Anderson leaving no doubt on Sunday evening as to how England would approach their potentially record-breaking task on the fourth day.
“The coach’s talk last night was that even if they were 600 ahead, we would still go for it,” said Anderson, who became England’s only player to bowl 35 flawless overs in the match and take five wickets. ‘It is very clear to everyone how we are going to try.
“I know there are 180 overs left in the game, but we will try to do it in 60 or 70 overs. That’s the way we set up and we’ll play the same way we did the last two years.”
England certainly made their intentions clear when they sent out their new ‘Night Hawk’ – an attacking nightwatchman – in Rehan Ahmed, who has replaced Stuart Broad in a role envisioned by England during their record-breaking chase of 378 to beat India at Edgbaston in 2022 .
Jimmy Anderson (right) has said it is ‘very clear’ that England will attack India in a bid to complete a record run chase
Anderson shone as he took five wickets in the match but the visitors needed 399 to win Test
Ben Stokes’ side is known for its aggressive play and the expectation is that this will continue
“I think he was advertised as a night watchman for the Tannoy, but he certainly wasn’t,” Anderson said of the 19-year-old, who knocked off 10 in the latter part of the day. “He wanted to go out there and chase those runs.”
The evergreen Anderson, who had a disappointing Ashes by taking five wickets in four matches, was delighted with his own return to form by bringing control and immense skill to a role that was new to him in an attack with three starting spinners.
“I’m very happy to have taken five wickets, but I’ll be even happier if I’ve got 35 overs in three days,” Anderson said. ‘I also felt strong when I did it. All the work I have done over the past few months has paid off and that gives me the most satisfaction.”
Anderson said his side will try to score the remaining 332 runs ‘in 60 or 70 overs’ on day four
The only potential cloud on England’s horizon was an injury to Joe Root, who damaged a finger in training ahead of the third day and then aggravated it in the field before spending most of the day on the sidelines.
“He actually took care of it,” Anderson added. “He just makes sure tomorrow is as good as it can be. There’s a chance we need him, so we’ll make sure he can hold a bat. I don’t think there are any concerns.’