England pacer James Anderson was happy to admit how watching Zaheer khan’s reverse swing helped him ahead of the fourth Test against Pakistan at The Oval.
Reverse swing where a ball deviates late in flight is one of the most difficult types of bowling to face. It becomes a far tougher task if the bowler is capable of keeping the ball hidden from view until the moment of delivery.
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It was a skill left-arm paceman Zaheer demonstrated to good effect during India’s 1-0 success in the three-match Pataudi Trophy Test campaign in England in 2007 where Anderson was on the opposite side.
“From Zaheer Khan. We found it really difficult to face.” The 32-year-old said.
If England wins in south London to take the four-match series 3-1, they could find themselves back on top of the world Test rankings for the first time since 2012 if other results go their way.
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Strauss’s side were No. 1 for barely a year before defeats by Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates and a home series loss to South Africa knocked them off their perch.
“I think our team at the moment is better equipped to get to No. 1 and stay there. We are a more talented side. I think we are more mentally tough– I think we showed what character we’ve got coming from 100 runs behind and managing to win at Edgbaston,” said Anderson.
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“The lads we have got in the dressing room are very down to earth, honest with their own appraisal and the team’s own form. If they can keep developing and improving then the sky is the limit. I think we have got more time on our side. In the team then [in 2012], we had a lot of players early to mid-30s – now we have got the backbone of a side that could go on for another 10 years, and that is very exciting,” he added.