James Anderson took his 28th five-wicket haul as England were on top in the Cape Town Test against South Africa. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
New Delhi:
James Anderson was recovering from a debilitating calf injury which did not allow him to bowl for close to six months. At 37 years of age, it seemed Anderson's best days were behind him. However, on day 3 of the Cape Town Test against South Africa, Anderson showed his class on a pitch that was not giving him any assistance as he put England back on top with his 28th five-wicket haul as England managed to salvage a crucial 46-run lead. England were boosted by Ollie Pope's second fifty and he got good support from Dominic Sibley, Joe Denly and Ben Stokes but South Africa built the pressure as England were all out for 269.
Kagiso Rabada was the pick of the bowlers with 3/68 and he was well backed-up by a couple of wickets from Vernon Philander, Anrich Nortje and Dwaine Pretorius. In response, Stuart Broad bowled with venom and got the wickets of Pieter Malan and Zubayr Hamza while Anderson got the massive wicket of skipper Faf du Plessis for 1. However, Dean Elgar and Rassie van der Dussen held firm and stitched a 117-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Elgar and van der Dussen blunted the attack and ensured England had to toil hard for their wickets. van der Dussen notched up his second consecutive fifty in the series while Elgar neared a magnificent ton. However, Sam Curran dismissed van der Dussen for 68 but Dom Bess struck the vital blow when Elgar edged to Joe Root at slip for 88.
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When Curran dismissed the dangerous Quinton de Kock for 20, the floodgates had opened and Anderson managed to run through the tail. He sent back Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada in quick succession. Although Vernon Philander and Anrich Nortje tried to frustrate the England pacers, Anderson was in top form and he sent back Nortje for 4 thanks to a brilliant catch from Ben Stokes. This was Anderson's 28th five-wicket haul and his fourth against South Africa and his second at this venue, having taken 5/63 a decade earlier. England extended their lead close to 100 but it was Anderson who stole the show on his 151st Test. His performances summed up that 'Age is just a number'.
