The Australians targeted Steven Finn in particular, cashing in when he was on duty and forcing Anderson back into the attack early than Alastair Cook would have liked.
Finn took 2-117 in 25 overs and is tipped to be dumped for his home Test at Lord’s starting today, for Tim Bresnan or Graeme Onions, and Cook has warned the Aussies about taking on anyone in his attack.
A no doubt stiff Anderson – who took 10 wickets in the first Test – will take the new ball at Lord’s, likely with Stuart Broad.
”It’s a bit disrespectful to the three other guys that are bowling,” Cook said of the Aussie ploy. “They are world-class bowlers as well in their own right. Clearly Jimmy is the leader of the attack at the moment but ‘Broady’ [Stuart Broad] is almost coming up to 200 Test wickets, ‘Swanny’ [Graeme Swann] has got 230 Test wickets and ‘Finny’ is the quickest Englishman to 50 wickets in terms of Tests.
“So I think that shows the strength in our squad. It was Jimmy’s game the other day, but last time we were at Lord’s it was Broady who got 7-44, so it can be a dangerous tactic.”
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