England veteran seamer James Anderson isn’t having the best of the Ashes 2023 series with the ball in hand. But he entertained the crowd with his football skills in the ongoing 4th Ashes Test in Manchester, at Old Trafford, his home ground.
James Anderson has picked up only 4 wickets in 108 overs at an average of 73! This could well the Ashes series, and the last Test match at his home ground for England’s greatest pacer who will turn 41 later this July.
However, James Anderson didn’t forget some of his footballing attributes amid the Ashes intensity.
On Day 3 of the ongoing Manchester Test, James Anderson displayed some of his football skills on the Old Trafford pitch. During mid-over in one of his the 11 overs he sent down in Australia’s second innings, the ball was tapped back to James Anderson by an Aussie batter. And instead of bending down and picking the ball with his hands, James Anderson used his foot three times to get hold of the ball that had been rolling on the pitch.
He was being hailed as the Lionel Messi of the England cricket team for his unexpected ball skills with his foot.
Check out James Anderson’s football skills in 4th Ashes Test:
Go on Jimmy! 😅👏 pic.twitter.com/t4mxiPxIWV
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 21, 2023
Meanwhile, the Ashes 2023 series stands at an interesting junction. After winning the first two Tests of the series, Australia are now depending heavily on the rain to NOT relent for the weekend so that they could retain the Ashes Urn.
Australia lead the series by 2-1 after 3 Tests. In the ongoing 4th Test in Manchester, England are in a position of ultimate command. England had piled up 592 runs in 107.4 overs in their first innings in reply to Australia’s 317 in their first innings. Australia started their second innings trailing by 275 runs and lost 4 wickets for 113 by stumps on Day 3.
With plenty of rain predicted for the remainder of the two days of the Test, Australia’s victory is all but out off equation, while England need to win this Test to level the series, and keep the Ashes Urn alive.
A draw in this 4th Test will mean the series can only be levelled even if England win the 5th Test at The Oval and Australia will retain the Ashes Urn in case of a draw here.
