James Anderson didn't have much luck at the Gabba last week but it all fell into place for him on Friday as he helped England to an incredible opening day performance against Australia in the second Ashes Test.
James Anderson didn't have much luck at the Gabba last week but it all fell into place for him on Friday as he helped England to an incredible opening day performance against Australia in the second Ashes Test.
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.
On Friday 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.
There was more calamity to come for Australia when Ponting edged Anderson's outswinger to Graeme Swann at second slip for his fifth Test first-ball duck.
The hosts plunged into deeper trouble when Clarke went hard after a moving Anderson delivery and snicked to Swann in the slips for the spinner's second catch.
Anderson particularly relished getting the coveted wicket of Ponting, Australia's champion batsman.
"To get Ponting first ball was a bit of a bonus for us and it seemed to snowball from there," he said.
"He's (Ponting) a fantastic cricketer and all bowlers want to get the best players in the world out and I think he's one of the best."
Anderson, who also claimed the wickets of Watson (51) and Peter Siddle (3), said he is a better bowler than he was on the last Ashes tour here when he took just five wickets at 82.60.
"I am a much different bowler to the one that came out here four years ago," he said.
"I think I'm much more experienced and I've gradually got better over the last few years.
"I've got more confident, certainly in my ability I've gained a lot of confidence the last few years, and realised where I can get to and how much better I can still get.
"It's nice to bowl well out here, but I didn't think I had anything to prove to anyone."
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