India vs England 2021: Brad Hogg Advices Indian Openers On How To Face James Anderson In The Test Series

Former Australia spinner, Brad Hogg has come up with some advice for the Indian openers – Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill – to face legendary England pacer, James Anderson in the upcoming Test series which will commence on 5th February in Chennai.

Brad Hogg observes that both the right-handers have the habit of often playing away from their bodies and play elegant strokes. Hogg says that Anderson would be waiting for them to try and play cover drives to knick it to the cauldron behind. The chairman asserts that India should wear he pacer down and unsettle him by not providing him with any wickets.

“Both Indian openers in Gill and Rohit Sharma have a tendency to play away from their body. They like to drive through the covers. Anderson will be looking for that. They can’t afford Anderson to get early wickets. They got to wear him down because he is getting a little bit older. Don’t let him get into the rhythm,” Brad Hogg said in his YouTube video.

Anderson likes to swing the ball both ways: Brad Hogg

James Anderson, with his 606 Test wickets is the leading wicket-taking pacer of all-time, has the ability to swing the ball both ways. Hence, Brad Hogg reckons that Rohit and Gill can play him two ways: either bat outside the crease and negate the movement, or wait deep inside and play at the in-swingers; but do not try and follow the one which swings away.

“We know that Anderson likes to swing the ball both ways. So the opening batters have got to try and bat outside their crease and try to negate the swing that Anderson creates. But, if they are not comfortable doing that, then bat in your crease, and look for the in-swinger, defend it, and if it swings away don’t chase it,” Brad Hogg said.

James Anderson, who has won an away Ashes in 2010-11 and in India in 2012, is ageing like a wine – since the start of 2017, he averages a brilliant 20.24 with the ball – and would like to assert his dominance over the Asian giants, in particular, over Virat Kohli.

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