Ashes winner Matthew Hoggard couldn’t help but heap more lavish praise on England seamer James Anderson, adamant no team in the world – not just Australia – can play his reverse swing.
Anderson took the last wicket of the first Ashes Test at Trent Bridge to spark wild celebrations in the England camp and around the country as Australia lost a match that had everything by 14 runs.
The 30-year-old finished with match figures of 10-158, taking the last four wickets of Australia’s second innings himself, with that haul only bettered by his 11-71, again in Nottingham, against Pakistan in 2010.
That was another fine display of swing bowling and, ahead of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s, 2005 winner Hoggard believes when the ball is moving either way Anderson is nigh on unplayable.
“When the ball reverses, James is devastating,” said Hoggard, who is helping the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) promote open days up and down the country this summer to coincide with the Ashes.
Clubs will be inviting the local community to enjoy the cricket whilst showcasing facilities and cricket-playing opportunities.
“He took quick wickets for not many runs in the first innings. He leads from the front and when there is reverse swing he is a weapon England can use,” Hoggard added.
“I think he’s one of the best bowlers in the world, he’s up there when the ball swings and our strength in depth is why we’re one of the best teams in the world.
“Graham Onions was unlucky not to be part of the team as was Tim Bresnan and we have a lot of strength in depth.
“When Stuart Broad couldn’t bowl you were a bit concerned but Steven Finn and James did their job well given the situation like they always do.”
Anderson’s efforts at Trent Bridge have sent an already excited nation into fever pitch with England and Australia set to do it all again in the second Test at Lord’s from Thursday.
But Hoggard, a veteran of three Ashes series, two Down Under and the successful 2005 series in England, insists Anderson mustn’t get caught up in hyperbole flying around.
He added: “When I was playing I wasn’t necessarily aware of the huge buzz but there was the same media attention.
“But you try and separate yourself from it and concentrate on the cricket and the job in hand rather than the spectacle.”
Matthew Hoggard is supporting the ECB’s Club Open Days initiative. For more information visit www.ecb.co.uk/clubopendays
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