Joe Root says it was decided not to announce on day four of the first Test to ensure India had no chance of winning; The England captain is delighted with a 227-run win but says the side still need to improve with India “ready to come back hard” after the first home loss since 2017
Last updated: 09/02/21 11:51 am
0:26
England captain Joe Root believes James Anderson is healthier than ever and his performance to help beat India in the first Test proves he is getting better despite being 38
England captain Joe Root believes James Anderson is healthier than ever and his performance to help beat India in the first Test proves he is getting better despite being 38
Captain Joe Root said James Anderson was the greatest man in England ever after his 227-run high-class swing swing run over India in Chennai.
Anderson delivered an impressive spell of three wickets for six runs in five pitches while India fell from 92-2 to 110-5 on the way to being shot out for 192 on a day. five of the first Test after winning a 420 world record for victory.
Sailor, 38, Shubman Gill and Ajinkya Rahane in 27th hit the innings – throwing Rahane one ball after coming so close to catching the lbw bat.
Speaking after England moved 1-0 up in the four-Test series, which starts again in Chennai on Saturday, Root said of Anderson: “He’s England’s cricket GOAT. He seems to be getting better all the time.
James Anderson (Pic Credit – BCCI)
“His skill level is constantly improving, his level of work is as good as anyone I’ve ever seen, and his fitness levels are probably the best they’ve ever been. in his career.
“He always finds ways to challenge himself. He is a reputation for English cricket and he is a great example for the young players, the batters and the bowlers.
“They should see that these are the big times you have to catch if you want to win series like this against a side as good as India.
“When you’re under pressure and need something to happen with Jimmy in your arms, it’s a very comfortable situation to be in.
“When it came to reverse swing, Jimmy’s level of skill and precision was always going strong. To deliver such a spell, he changed the dynamics of the day.
“I can’t think of a better time [than the one in which Gill and Rahane were dismissed] It reminded me of Andrew Flintoff in 2005 and how that affected Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer.
“We’ve come to expect it but we certainly shouldn’t. It’s unbelievable time and time again. Great players do special things.”
Deciding not to name an afternoon on day four, Root – who scored 218 in England’s first innings in 578 – said: “The most important thing is to make sure that India winning out of the equation.
2:13 England captain Joe Root says he was confident his bowlers would have enough time to see India on day five of the first test despite criticism over his decision not to published in the second innings.
“As the batter who spent the most time out on that wicket I felt I had the best criterion. With the ground so small it was and the field so small. as soon as it was, we didn’t want to give India any chance of winning.
“I didn’t want the archers to be pressured to bring in as well as take wickets. I wanted them to focus on trying to find ways for wickets. to bring.
“We wanted to make sure there were only two possible results. After we played all the cricket, it would have been devastating if we had lost this game.
“I knew from the way the pitch had deteriorated over the last three days that coming into day five was going to happen faster.
“We just had to be non-stop with the fields we were bowling and the wicket would do the rest. The mattresses handled that pressure well.
“I’m very proud of the way we played. We have set a benchmark and we have something to work on.
The throw was crucial but from then on it was vital that we make use of that. We’re talking about long batting and we did that brilliantly. We controlled the game and then bowling out Indians in that brilliant way. It was an enjoyable achievement and fills us with confidence.
Joe Root (Pic credit – BCCI)
Root says his side can still improve, as he expects a strong response from India after Virat Kohli’s men got their first loss in a Test match at home since they went down a Australia with 333 runs in Pune in 2017.
Root, who celebrated victory in his 100th Test, said: “The fact that we can still improve makes me happy and the challenge is repeated in the next game.
“We could have gone around things a little differently with the stick in the second innings, been a little smarter – could we have put pressure on the accelerator after we get to the helm of 400? Also with the ball, we might have been better at times.
I think it’s really important that we look after our players and everyone comes into the game fit, fresh and able to deliver the skill at 100 percent. It’s up to the boys who play everything to throw that into it. If it’s someone’s turn to sit out, so be it. They need to be ready for the next opportunity.
Joe Root on rest and circulation (Pic credit – BCCI)
“We can’t be happy with what we’ve done, we have to keep looking to get better. If we get a chance to be ahead of the game we have to grab it with both hands and being ruthless.
“Of course it’s a really good win but in the series scheme it’s just the beginning. We know India are a really good team, especially in these conditions.
“They are a proud nation with some outstanding players who will be injured and want to prove a point. They will come back hard on us.”
A text report followed over a day from the second test between India and England in Chennai on skysports.com and the Sky Sports app from 3.25am on Saturday.