I would think there is a systemic problem in English cricket that really cant be papered over by one good days batting in one test.
It was exciting to watch....no question about that....but I would not think too many involved in the game think it is in a good place...I am talking test now...not the other versions of the game.
But just my view of it...
Yeah......I’m sure our greatest ever bowler was cranking it up to 85mph against an age group team of ****agers!
I’d suggest it shows a level of respect from the great man in not making kids look like a bunch of t w a t s and ruining their confidence and that’s the class sort of guy Jimmy is!
Would you rather he run in at full tilt?
We all know he doesn’t need to bowl fast GLM.......at 78-82mph he’s still pretty much unplayable so describing him as “gentle” is a strange choice of words as he hasn’t been “fast” for more than five years now.
Well he was there to try and prove his fitness which he didn't by not finishing the match, maybe the choice of gentle was a bad choice but preferable to slating him.
As for 'kids' can I say that the Lancashire side had 7 or 8 first team squad players, two or three of them have played for England and the scores over the three days were Leicestershire 2s 224 and 204/8 dec. The Lancashire 2s replies were 134 and 132/7. Match drawn but a hell of a moral victory for Leicestershire.
I listen to the experts.
Reports from that match were that he’d come through it well and if I remember correctly he’d taken at least a couple of wickets.
I’m nearly 58 and since Anderson’s age I’ve suffered with calf strains a lot so I can give you “chapter and verse” on them.
I’ve just been forced into a two week rest period due to a nasty little strain on my left one a few weeks back that wasn’t improving with a lighter work load.
I went out today and did my normal 4 1/2 miles at a careful and reduced pace because to do otherwise is sheer stupidity.
I’m a million miles away from an elite trainer like Anderson but I can assure you of this.
1/ As I gradually build this up over the next two weeks I’ll be back to my rather sad best.
2/ In 10 days from now Anderson would have Leicester stiffs wondering where their next run was coming from and if selected......he’ll be making the Aussies squirm.
By 4th September it’ll be five weeks since his slight calf strain and with world class rehab and a top class athlete knowing his own body I think we can all feel comfortable that if Anderson is on the pitch he’ll do the business.
If not him I hope Curran gets the call because Woakes is as much use as my a r s e at present.