Swing-King Anderson toast of Britain's papers


LONDON: Britain's newspapers revelled in England's dramatic victory in the Ashes opener, lavishing praise on match winner James Anderson, whose four-wicket haul Sunday brought his total for the match to 10.
But they also warned that the Australians would not be the whipping boys many predicted before the series.
Aussie skipper Michael Clarke still had “plenty of hope” for the rest of the summer, they said.
Monday's Daily Telegraph and Guardian both carried a photograph of England players celebrating the winning moment on the front page.
“Howzat for starters?” was the Guardian's headline.
The back-page headline of the Daily Mail read “We've nicked it,” a reference to defiant Australian batsman Brad Haddin's edge which finally sealed victory.
Popular tabloid the Sun carried an editorial supporting the technology which detected Haddin's nick.
“Wow...what a start to this year's Ashes series,” it said.
“A game and a rivalry built on the best kind of traditions. But entirely modern, making use of some of the most up-to-date systems in sport.”
The Telegraph's Simon Hughes celebrated England's swing-king Anderson.
“Michael Holding, the West Indies fast bowler...has a good yardstick for judging bowlers,” he wrote.
“Only when one has taken at least four wickets-per-Test over a long period of time, can they be considered 'great'.
“With his 10 wickets, Jimmy Anderson nudged closer to that milestone. He is on the verge of greatness,” wrote Hughes.
The Times' Simon Barnes was even more enthusiastic, calling Anderson's four-wicket burst on Sunday a “stupendous effort”.
“Anderson will be the most successful bowler in England's history. And as good as any that bowled,” he wrote.
Turning to the vanquished tourists, the Guardian's Vic Marks highlighted grounds for optimism despite the 14-run defeat.
“No glory for defeated Australia in first Ashes Test but plenty of hope,” he said.
“The determined display from Michael Clarke's men suggests sum will be much greater than their parts.
“It is not generally part of an Australian's psyche to take consolation from a 'good' defeat,” he added.
“But if ever this was justified it was at the end of this Test.”

, ,

0 comments

Write Down Your Responses