‘It reminded me of Flintoff in 2005’: The James Anderson spell that set up a famous victory

Anderson removed Shuman Gill and Ajinkya Rahane in the space three deliveries in echoes of one of the most famous overs of all, writes Vithushan Ehantharajah

James Anderson celebrates the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane

(BCCI)

“It reminded me of Flintoff in 2005,” beamed Joe Root. “The impact of that over to Ponting and Langer. In the context of this game it was huge.”

It was high but deserved praised dished out by the England captain after victory in the first Test set up by a James Anderson spell that ranks alongside that famous Ashes one 16 years ago as one of the very best.

Andrew Flintoff’s over to remove Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting at Edgbaston in 2005 remains one of the most revered and remembered among England fans. Right down to the no ball which allowed Flintoff to find Ponting’s outside edge with the seventh delivery.