Will the injury of James Anderson have as same effect as McGrath injury had of 2005? Australia captain Michael Clarke seems positive about their turnaround in the Anderson less next two Ashes Test. England fast bowler James Anderson’s side starin ruled out James Anderson from the fourth Test. He is unlikely to play the fifth Test as well.
Australia’s bid to pick themselves up off the floor and salvage their Ashes bid is being helped by their belief the injury to masterful swing bowler Jimmy Anderson will be as much of a blow to England’s chances as the loss of Glenn McGrath was to theirs a decade ago.
In an interview to Triple M radio Michael Clarke said, “Every day there’s something new that pops up, (there’s been) plenty of distractions for both teams, that’s for sure.
“I guess we experienced it in losing Ryan Harris before a ball was bowled this series, and now Jimmy Anderson is certainly out of this Test match, and who knows if he’ll be fit for the last one as well?
“As much as you don’t wish injury on anyone, I hope it can play a part like in 2005 when we lost Glenn McGrath.”
In 2005 Australia went to Edgbaston registering an emphatic victory in Lord’s. But on morning of the match that enthusiams was severely dented by losing McGrath.
McGrath destroyed England in the first Test, but then stepped on a cricket ball in training and twisted his ankle, ruling him out of the second Test and the series. England went on to win their first Test in 10 attempt, and later clinched the Ashes.
Conincidently, after one decade of MaGrath incident, James Anerson, the lead bowler of England last week ruled out the for the fourth Test, and probably The Oval too.. Anderson’s 6 for 47 in the in the first innings of Edgbaston Test was pivotal to England series lead. But, missed the chance to finish off Australia in the second innings due to the side strain that will prevent him from featuring at Trent Bridge, the Test venue he is at his best.
Anderson has been ruled out of the fourth Test at Trent Bridge after injuring his intercostal muscles at Edgbaston, and while England went on to win the match, Clarke hopes the paceman’s absence on Thursday will work in his favour.
“Hopefully we can take a bit of confidence knowing that someone who, I think he averages 19 (as a bowler) at this ground in Nottingham, is unavailable for selection,” Michael Clarke said.