England: Anderson finally enjoying Headingley

Omnisports

May 20, 2016 3:19 AM

After taking 5-16 in the first Test with Sri Lanka, James Anderson was delighted to end his Headingley frustrations.

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James Anderson used to turn up to Headingley dreading a day in the field, but a simple change of ends has changed his attitude towards the ground.

Prior to the first Test with Sri Lanka, Anderson had never taken more than three wickets there in one innings for England, but that all changed on an action-packed day in Leeds.

Having seen Jonny Bairstow guide England to 298 with a superb 140, the hosts were quickly among the wickets as Anderson and strike partner Stuart Broad claimed early scalps.

Sri Lanka's inexperienced line-up failed to cope as the pressure intensified and Anderson took full advantage of overcast conditions to take five wickets, while Broad secured four himself.

"Me and Stuart have just had a chat in there and said it's taken us nine years to realise we're bowling at the wrong ends, which is a bit frustrating, but I'm delighted that we've eventually figured it out and got some rewards," Anderson said.

"We've hated the place for nine years so we thought we might as well change ends.

"We've had very little success here, our records are pretty poor so we just thought why not give it a go.

"To be honest the pitch is different to a normal Headingley pitch, a bit more in it for the bowlers, and it's worked well for us."

Bairstow followed up his heroics with the bat by taking five catches behind the stumps as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 98, before bad light stopped play with the tourists 1-0 in their second innings after England enforced the follow on.

"I'm really pleased with today. I was a bit disappointed because it was a bit soft the way I got out, but never mind," said Bairstow.

"It's one of those days that won't come around too many times. Obviously I am really pleased and the way the guys bowled there at the end was outstanding.

"We know how to bowl at Headingley and we executed those plans to a tee really."

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