Paceman James Anderson paid tribute to the England bowlers after the hosts wrapped up a comprehensive victory over India on Sunday in the fifth Test at The Oval.
India were subjected to a second loss in three days of play as England sealed a 3-1 series success with an innings-and-244-run win, as Chris Jordan picked up a career-best four for 18 after Joe Root's brilliant, unbeaten 149.
Anderson, named man of the series, moved closer to England's record Test wicket-taking tally of 383, with figures of two for 16 taking him to 380. Afterward, he was keen to spread the praise to Stuart Broad, Jordan and Chris Woakes.
Plenty seems to have changed since the loss at Lord’s.
“We decided to concentrate not on plans for particular batsmen but on what we do well – hitting the top as much as we could, challenge their outside edge, challenging their forward defence,” Anderson said.
“And I think as we’ve gone on through last three Tests, we’ve improved on that in each game.”
Broad said his team were fully deserving of their three-day victory.
“We knew if we did similar to the first innings and got the ball full enough to encourage the drive, we’d have results,” he told Sky Sports. “Obviously, we didn’t dream we’d get 10 wickets as quickly as that, but we deserved it. We put a lot of hard work in all summer.”
He had something to do with the victory, too.
“It’s right up there ... it’s the best I’ve probably bowled, yeah,” he said of his own form. “The way the whole group has bowled has been outstanding since Southampton. We’ve got on top of their batsmen and not let them get back in any of the games we’ve played. We’ve created pressure, non-stop.”
Root, named man of the match, hailed the way the team recovered after the Lord’s defeat.
“It was a tough time,” he said. “To bounce back like we did has shown a lot of character. A lot of guys have had to dig deep. It’s really pleasing to see the way we’ve finished it off.”
Asked what had changed in his approach, he replied: “Just generally looking to score – I think I’d got into a place where I was just looking to survive in the winter – and just trying to put pressure on the bowlers when I get the opportunity to. Hopefully that can continue and I can keep improving.”
India captain MS Dhoni said his team fell way short of the mark with the bat.
“I think today’s batting was reflective of a batting order that has lost a lot of confidence over a period of time,” he said. “Many youngsters have not played over here. Also not many have played Test cricket outside the subcontinent. It’s a very important moment for them. They’ll learn and in coming years when they come back they’ll be much better.”
The series triumph was the perfect response for Alastair Cook, whose captaincy has been questioned, and he was delighted with his team's resilience.
“It’s great to have the support of the guys throughout the tough times,” he said. “And in the good times, like now, it makes it all worthwhile.
“It’s an amazing turnaround. After Lord’s, to have won like we’ve won the last three games, the guys can take a huge amount of credit.”
Cook was keen to let his players bask in the glory before thinking about their next Test assignment, in the Caribbean in April.
“It is a shame,” he said of the lack of imminent Test action. “They’ll be very different conditions in West Indies. But I don’t think we can worry about that.
“We’ve played a lot of Test cricket recently and we’ll have a lot after when we start again in West Indies. We’ve got to enjoy tonight and then look at the difference between how we’ve gone from not playing good cricket to playing as good cricket as we have the last three games, and as soon as we get back into this mode, trying to start there again.”
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