England v New Zealand: Anderson was man-of-the-match, insists Broad
England v New Zealand: Stuart Broad deflects praise to James Anderson despite a career-best Test performance at Lord's
Stuart Broad has lauded fellow England seamer James Anderson for his performance against New Zealand, despite the Nottinghamshire bowler’s own career-best Test performance.
The hosts ripped through the Black Caps’ batting line-up in an astonishing display on the fourth morning of the first Test at Lord’s, as the visitors were dismissed for just 68, chasing 239 to win.
Broad was keen, having taken all the plaudits – and winning the man-of-the-match award – to deflect the praise to Anderson, who became only the fourth England bowler to reach 300 Test wickets, after his seven-wicket haul in both innings.
“I’ve come away with seven wickets but Jimmy was the leader of this attack,” said Broad. “He got to 300 Test wickets and got five wickets in the first innings and he should be coming up to get this man-of-the-match award.”
For the most part, Anderson was the talk of the Test; the Kiwi’s first innings score was restricted to 207, having been on 100 for three, thanks to the “Burnley Express”.
The 30-year-old proved once again why he is one of the best fast-bowlers in the world, as he showed masterful control with the swinging ball to oust all four of New Zealand’s top-order.
England’s batsmen, however, failed to captalise – albeit in the favorable bowling conditions – and gave the visitors hope of going 1-0 up in the series, setting them a reasonable target of 239 to win.
But Broad had other ideas – and, in part, Anderson too – as England used only two bowlers throughout the whole innings for the first time since 1936 to steamroll through the fragile New Zealanders.
Broad, who took seven for 44 in 11 overs, was particularly rampant as he pitched the ball up making things extraordinarily hard for Brendon McCullum’s team.
“It’s about rhythm as a bowler,” added Broad. “I felt my stride pattern has been pretty good throughout the summer.
“I had confidence, knowing if I got the ball up there, there was enough in the wicket to help the bowlers out.
“I just hit my straps straightaway. It happens like that. Some days you get the nicks; some days you don’t.”
