England legend Jimmy Anderson takes first wicket for over four months but Joe Root’s side hit by illness epidemic
JAMES ANDERSON took his first England wicket for more than four months as Joe Root’s team were struck by an illness epidemic.
Fast bowlers Jofra Archer and Stuart Broad, as well as spinner Jack Leach, were all unable to take part on day two as England drew their first practice match in South Africa.
Members of the backroom staff were also laid low.
Swing king Anderson, 37, bowled 11 overs in two spells and, after a rusty start, found his rhythm and eventually had batsman Kabelo Sekhukhune caught behind.
Anderson arrived here two weeks ahead of the main squad in order to hone his fitness at training camps in Potchefstroom and Cape Town after his comeback from a calf injury. This was the first time he has bowled for
England since limping off in August’s Ashes opener at Edgbaston.
With Archer, Broad and Leach all absent and Mark Wood not expected to be fit for at least another fortnight as he recovers from injury, England’s bowling resources were stretched.
All-rounder Ben Stokes arrived late having picked up the BBC Sports Personality of the Year gong, although he did field for a few overs yesterday.
Root and head coach Chris Silverwood will be desperate for the sick brigade to be fit to play in the three-day, first-class match against South Africa A beginning tomorrow.
Chris Woakes took three wickets in the space of 11 balls yesterday as he battles it out with Sam Curran for a place in the Boxing Day Test.
It was Curran who took new-ball duties, finding a hint of early swing as he knocked over both openers.
But Woakes charged in with fresh energy after lunch and a new plan to drag back his length in search of greater bounce.
He said: “It was nice, it was a different role to what I’m used to, coming in and bowling a few bouncers.
“The wicket wasn’t really responding too much to length balls, so at lunchtime we felt we had to change it up.
“Thankfully, the afternoon session was good for us, we tried a few different things and it’s always nice to pick up some wickets in tour games.”
Woakes admitted the tactic was partially inspired by New Zealand’s Neil Wagner, who impressed in the Black Caps recent series win over England.
Woakes said: “Trying to hit a length isn’t always the best option and looking at different opportunities to take wickets is important.
MOST READ IN SPORT
“We’ve seen the way New Zealand in particular go about their business. Neil Wagner uses the middle of the pitch a lot and he’s gone pretty well with it.
“We just have to think outside the box because the way you pick up wickets in England isn’t always the way you pick up wickets abroad.”
England leg-spinner Matt Parkinson was whacked and milked to the tune of 2-112 in 20 overs.
The South African Invitational XI finished with 289 all out after England made 309-4 on day one.