England v India: James Anderson takes 5-20 and says 'I don't feel old'
- Published
James Anderson says he does not feel his 36 years after his five-wicket haul put England on top on day two of the second Test with India at Lord's.
Following Thursday's washout, Anderson struck in the first over on Friday and finished with 5-20 as England bowled out the tourists for 107.
"I don't feel old, I feel like I can still throw myself around in the field as well as anyone else," he said.
"As long as I feel like that I'm going to keep playing as long as possible."
Anderson, who claimed his 26th five-wicket haul - one short of Ian Botham's England record - added: "I don't think about numbers or my age. I feel like, I won't say 28, but 32."
He did not play for six weeks after the Test series against Pakistan earlier this summer to rest a shoulder problem.
'We would have bowled our own batsmen out too'
Anderson is England's record Test wicket-taker, with Friday's show of superb swing bowling taking him to 549, only 14 behind Australian Glenn McGrath, the most prolific seamer in history.
He produced an initial two-wicket burst as India struggled to 11-2 before the first of several rain delays.
England, who won a thrilling first Test by 31 runs, exploited conditions that were conducive to swing and seam movement throughout, bowling India out in the final over of the day.
"Some days it hoops round - they've been quite rare actually - but when you get the opportunity like that you lick your lips and try to show off your skills," Anderson said.
"If we bowled like that, with those conditions, we'd bowl most teams in the world out - because we were that good.
"If we were bowling at our batsmen, we'd have the better of them too.
"We exploit those conditions as well as anyone in the world."
Anderson will be on the honours board at Lord's for a sixth time following his five-wicket return.
He said "I'd have been so disappointed if I'd messed up today because they were the ideal conditions to bowl in. I find it so much fun when it's like that."
Chris Woakes also swung the ball prodigiously to claim 2-19 on his return to the side to deputise for Ben Stokes, who is currently on trial for affray in Bristol.
"He's a world-class performer on his day," Anderson said of Woakes.
"We've seen it before - all round the world, one-day cricket, Test match cricket. He's a brilliant bowler, a brilliant all-rounder, and someone who can do a fantastic job for this team."
India 'cannot be too harsh' on themselves - Rahane
India's batsmen were criticised for frequently playing across the line against the moving ball.
But Ajinkya Rahane, whose 18 was the third highest score, said: "You cannot be too harsh on yourself when you get conditions like this.
"We were right there mentally, also skill wise. But James Anderson, he was really good.
"If weather permits I'm sure our bowlers will bowl well in the right areas. Cricket is a funny game and we still have to back ourselves and get that positive mindset back."
- Published5 September 2017