Ashes: England pacer Anderson brings down Australia

James Anderson didn't have much luck at the Gabba last week but it all fell into place for him yesterday as he helped England to an incredible opening day performance against Australia in the second Ashes Test.


Howzzat! England pacer James Anderson appeals for an LBW decision
against Australian batsman Shane Watson on the first day of the second
Ashes Test in Adelaide yesterday. Anderson took 4-51. PIC/AFP

The Lancashire paceman, 28, triggered a sensational clatter of Australian wickets in the first three overs to help bowl out Ricky Ponting's men for an under-par 245 on a traditionally flat Adelaide Oval wicket.

England were one without loss at the close and looking to ram home the advantage batting in their first innings on a forecast sweltering second day on Saturday.

Anderson bowled well in Brisbane last week but his match figures of 2-114 off 42 overs didn't reflect how well he bowled in the Ashes opener.

Yesterday, Anderson cashed in, taking 4-51 off 19 overs, including the prized wickets of Ponting for a first-ball duck and vice-captain Michael Clarke for two."I tried to put the Gabba (performance) out of my mind," Anderson said."I thought I really bowled well there but the worse thing would be to feel sorry for yourself and not bowl well here.

"So I just wanted to continue the form that I felt I was in and I think I did that."England had a sensational start when they removed senior opener Simon Katich, Ponting and Clarke in an amazing opening spell.
Katich was run out by a direct hit from Jonathan Trott side on at square leg after Shane Watson hared off for a single off an lbw appeal on Anderson's fourth ball of the innings.