England
England won by an innings and 76 runs to level the series 1-1. (Image: Twitter)

England’s premier pace bowler James Anderson was full of praise for his teammates, the bowlers in particular, after a brilliant display of bowling on Day 4 of the Headingley Test saw the team brush aside India to level the series 1-1.

Although Anderson had a rare off-day in the bowling department on Day 3, his bowling compatriots provided the breakthroughs and eventually tore into India’s middle-order. Ollie Robinson claimed his second five-wicket haul, while Craig Overton contributed with three wickets in the second innings.

Ollie Robinson, James Anderson
Ollie Robinson after picking up his second five-wicket haul. (Image: Twitter)

This group has been brilliant. Craig Overton’s come back in and done a fantastic job for us, Sam Curran got a couple of wickets for us first dig. We’re all chipping in and I think that’s really important.

Obviously Ollie Robinson was absolutely unbelievable today, he’s been brilliant since he’s come into the side and he got his rewards with five wickets,” Anderson was quoted as saying to Sky Sports.

“We bowled really well as a partnership in this game” – James Anderson

England had it quite easy in the first essay when they ran over India’s batting line-up on Day 1. The hosts bowled their opponents out for 78, before cashing in on a flat track. The 354-run they built on the back of Joe Root’s 23rd career century was enough to earn them an innings win, as India was shot out for 278 in their second innings.

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Joe Root and Dawid Malan
Joe Root and Dawid Malan (Image Credit: Getty)

It wasn’t straightforward, however, as the visitors put a sturdy fight on Day 3. They were comfortably sitting on 215/2, with Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli at the crease. One wicket was all they needed to spark a collapse though, and Anderson said their consistent pressure was a big reason for it.

I think it’s that collective group effort that helps you get those wickets, building pressure at both ends. We were relentless with that yesterday and carried that on today. I thought we bowled really well as a partnership in this game. Thankfully we got our rewards and took 20 wickets.

England Team
England Cricket Team (Image Credit: Twitter)

We’re missing quite a few bowlers which shows what depth we do have. We’re missing the likes of Broad, Archer and Woakes – guys who have done a fantastic job for us over the last few years – so to have guys come in and keep performing shows the depth we have in our bowling group,” Anderson concluded.

The fourth Test begins on September 2 at the Oval in London.

Also Read – James Anderson Becomes 1st Fast Bowler, Overall 2nd Bowler To Take 400 Wickets In Home Tests