The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Anderson forces Kiwis to follow on

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Anderson forces Kiwis to follow on

Ted Corbett

NOTTINGHAM: James Anderson missed out on his ambition to take 10 wickets in the New Zealand first innings on Saturday when it was bowled out for 123. He still recorded the third best bowling return for a Trent Bridge Test. His figures of seven for 43 have been bettered only by Muttiah Muralitharan (eight for 70) in 2006 and Bernard Bosenquet (eight for 107) in 1905 at this ground. New Zealand was well on its way to defeat — and a 2-0 series defeat — at 38 for two in its second innings after following on 241 behind. We had to wait for two hours and 40 minutes before play began, 13 balls before a run came — a boundary to Vettori in fact — and 20 minutes before a Sidebottom delivery was edged by Vettori to Strauss at first slip.

New Zealand still needed 57 to avoid the follow-on but it was helped in its rescue act by both Anderson and Sidebottom bowling wide of the stumps.

Magnificent spell

Anderson was all over the back pages on Saturday for his six wickets and plenty of reminders that he was in line to join Jim Laker and Anil Kumble as bowlers who have taken 10 in an innings. He had said at the end of his magnificent spell on Friday that his rhythm had been good whenever he bowled as he recorded 15-3-42-6 and left the batsmen leaden-footed and bewildered. Now he appeared to lack any form while Sidebottom fired as many balls well wide as he pitched in line.

Most deliveries were too distant to touch so that Vaughan was forced to call up Broad who at least got the ball close enough for Kyle Mills to drive the ball to gully.

Two balls later Broad smashed his way through O’Brien’s inadequate defence so that New Zealand was 123 for nine which showed up Anderson and Sidebottom by the simple method of bowling straight. Anderson took the hint in his next over and trapped Hopkins lbw to finish with seven for 43.

Vaughan had no hesitation in enforcing the follow-on and it was clear that New Zealand, 241 behind, might lose in less than three days unless the weather got worse.

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