Old-stager Anderson thriving under Stokes captaincy as England eye Pakistan sweep

The
40-year-old
has
impressed
in
the
tourists’ first
two
matches
and
will
be
rested
for
the
last
encounter,
with
an
eye
on
England’s
trip
to
New
Zealand
in
the
new
year.

With
177
caps,
Anderson
is
second
only
to
India
great
Sachin
Tendulkar
for
all-time
Test
appearances,
and
he
has
posted
eight
wickets
at
18.50
while
in
Pakistan.

His
efforts
come
amid
a
more
aggressive
approach
to
the
long-form
game
favoured
by
Stokes
and
coach
Brendon
McCullum,
which
Anderson
says
is
having
a
galvanising
effect
on
all
England’s
bowlers.

“I
love
thinking
about
the
game,
thinking
about
plans,
and
Ben
is
that
sort
of
captain,” Anderson
said.
“All
he
thinks
about
is
taking
wickets.

“He’s
not
bothered
about
trying
to
dry
the
run
rate
up
or
control
the
game.
He
wants
to
take
wickets.
You
see
that
with
the
fields
he
sets.
That
then
rubs
off
on
you
as
a
bowler.

“This
seems
to
be
working
for
this
group
of
bowlers,
and
we’ve
got
a
nice
mix
of
bowlers.
I’ve
found
it
refreshing
thinking
differently,
even
though
I’ve
played
a
lot
of
games.”

The
third
Test
begins
on
Saturday,
with
Anderson
expecting
England
to
head
in
with
the
same
positive
approach
that
has
brought
two
wins
so
far,
as
instilled
by
captain
and
coach.

“As
long
as
you’re
getting
hit
in
the
right
areas,
they
don’t
care
if
you
go
for
the
odd
four,”
Anderson
said,
quoted
by
Cricinfo.
“That
gives
you
confidence
to
bowl,
knowing
that
you
don’t
have
to
fret
about
how
many
runs
you’re
going
for.

“If
that’s
the
way
you’re
trying
to
get
people
out,
with
catchers
in
front
of
the
wicket
as
they
have
been
out
here,
then
they’re
completely
fine
with
it.”