So did anyone notice anything significant at Edgbaston yesterday evening?
Michael Clarke edging his way towards 100 with more nerves than an 18 year old virgin approaching someone else’s groin for the first time? Well, yes, but that’s a bit obvious.
Graham Manouououououououououououououou suffering? Well, only if you were quick – a quick bit of hand holding and a paracetemol and he was OK.
Ravi Bopara doing his best Shane Watson impression? Shame he didn’t do it with the bat instead of the ball.
None of these, though, are significant things. Think back. Who was in charge on the field during that last hour?
Still confused? Allow me to answer, in best Hong Kong Phooey style:
Was it Strauss? No.
Was it Cook, the supposed leader-in-waiting? No.
Was it Collingwood, the failed one day captain? No.
Was it Jimmy, the mild mannered quick bowler? Could be!
Yes, if you watched carefully, it was Jimmy Anderson who was setting Bopara’s fields, who was standing at slip and who seemed to be in control. Now this could be mere perception, or it could be right but mean nothing. But Anderson is one of the few players who can be sure of their place in any England side, he’s arguably their best all round fielder and will also be their most experienced quick bowler once Flintoff is gone. It is a long time since England had a bowler as a captain, but England need someone to at least lead the one day side. Would it be too far fetched an idea to think that Anderson could do that?
yes
Anderson expressed his desire to captain in a recent interview in All Out Cricket.
Only trouble is, he didn’t go to a posh school, so.any captaincy-related brain power is rendered irrelevant.
T20 might be a possibility though. T20 is probably the devil in posh schools…